Office of the Historian

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/75

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Tuesday, May 27, 1919

May 27, 1919
  • Present:
    • Mr. Lansing
    • Mr. White
    • Gen. Bliss
    • Mr. Herter
1.
Memorandum No. 290 was considered recommending the authorizing of an advance of $500.00 to Colonel Sherman Miles who has been temporarily detailed by the Commission to the Legation at Prague, for expenses. The Commissioners approved of having the $500.00 in question advanced [Page 189] to Colonel Miles from the Emergency Fund at the disposal of the State Dept. Advance of $500 to Col. Miles
2.
Memorandum No. 291 was read regarding an appropriation of $20,000.00 applied for by the American Commissioners on the Inter-Allied Commission on Mandates in Turkey to supersede the initial appropriations of $10,000.00 authorized by the Commissioners for the expenses of the American members on this Commission. The Commissioners approved of the appropriation of $20,000.00 for the purposes indicated, provided Mr. McNeir felt that there was sufficient funds at the disposal of the Commission to cover this amount. Appropriation of $20,000 to Amer. Commission on Mandates in Turkey
3.
Memorandum No. 292 was read with regard to the properties of the Vacuum Oil Company in Austria and Hungary. The Commissioners agreed with the opinion of the Secretariat of the Commission in this matter, namely, that it would be inadvisable for the Commission to take any active steps in respect to the property of the Vacuum Oil Company at the present time and without a more thorough investigation of the facts in the case. They likewise approved of having the matter turned over to the Embassy with the suggestion that further details be obtained and that the Company be advised of this reference. They likewise agreed that the case should be brought to the attention of Mr. Halstead when he passes through Paris on his way to Vienna. Claims of Vacuum Oil Co. in Austria and Hungary
4.
The Commissioners approved of Memorandums Nos. 293 and 294 inquiring whether the release of Lieut. Kirkpatrick and Ensign Jones were approved. Release of Lt. Kirkpatrick and Ensign Jones
5.
Memorandum No. 295 was read regarding the detention of Professor Coolidge in Paris to deal with information and correspondence concerning Austria and Hungary in the Division of Current Diplomatic and Political Correspondence. The Commissioners approved of Prof. Coolidge’s retention for this purpose. Retention of Prof. Coolidge for Work in Div. Current Diplomatic & Political Correspondence
6.
Memorandum No. 296 was read with regard to the return to the United States of Mr. David Hunter Miller and Mr. Hall Kinsey. The Commissioners authorized the return to the United States of these two gentlemen and likewise agreed that they should be considered as completely detached from the Commission immediately upon their return. Return of David Hunter Miller and Mr. Hall Kinsey to U. S.
7.
General Bliss suggested that in order to save money at the present moment it might be advisable for the Commission to give instructions that the members of Colonel Riggs’ party who are still in Russia return to report in Paris. The Commissioners agreed that they had received no information [Page 190] from this Mission in some time which would be of immediate use to the Commission and that, therefore that [sic] their continued stay in Russia would be unjustifiable. Recall of Col. Riggs’ Mission From Russia
8.
The Commissioners requested Mr. Herter to draft a brief letter to the President suggesting that it might be advisable to have a meeting of the American Commissioners together with the various experts of the Commission to consider the counter-proposals which the German Delegation is expected to submit within a few days, before the Council of Four should definitely commit itself on these proposals. Meeting of American Commissioners and Experts To Consider the Counter-proposals of the German Delegation
9.
The Commissioners requested that Mr. Grew notify the various members of the Commission that Friday, May 30th, Memorial Day, would be observed as a Holiday by the Commission. Memorial Day, May 30th, 1919 To Be Observed as Holiday