Office of the Historian

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/87

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Friday, June 13, 1919

June 13, 1919
  • Present:
    • Mr. Lansing
    • Mr. White
    • General Bliss
    • Mr. Herter
[1.]
The Commissioners again considered the question of a Commission to Poland to investigate the alleged Pogroms in the light of Mr. Louis Marshall’s letter to the President and the President’s reply thereto. The Commissioners agreed that, taking into account all the different statements of opinion which they had received and likewise considering the fact that Mr. Morgenthau was practically in agreement with Mr. Marshall, that no Jew should serve on this Commission, it would be well to have a [Page 233] small commission composed of Professor Coolidge, Mr. Hudson and Lieutenant-Colonel Greene proceed to Poland as soon as possible, for the purpose of making investigations only. They requested, therefore, that a letter be drafted for the Secretary of State’s signature to the President, replying to his letters of June 3 and 10, suggesting the three gentlemen named above, and mentioning the fact that both Mr. Morgenthau and Mr. Marshall agreed that no Jews should figure on the commission. Commission To Investigate Pogroms in Poland
2.
Memorandum No. 357 was read, in which Prof. W. E. Lunt requested to be relieved from duty with the Division of Political and Territorial and Economic Intelligence of the Peace Commission. The Commissioners approved of Prof. Lunt being relieved as soon as he is able to obtain passage to the United States. Release of Prof. W. E. Lunt
3.
Memorandum No. 358 was read, giving the substance report by Mr. Patchin on an interview which he had with Mr. Suter of the Committee on Public Information with respect to the activities of that Committee. The Commissioners requested that a telegram be sent to Mr. Creel, inquiring whether, if necessary it would be possible to keep the Service of American news and editorial despatches from New York to Paris on after July 1st. They felt that this would only be necessary provided peace had not been made by that date. Continuance of News Service
4.
Memorandum No. 359, regarding the draft convention for the control of the arms traffic which had been referred to General Bliss on June 11th, was reconsidered by the Commissioners. General Bliss presented a suggested letter to the President in regard to this matter, recommending that Brigadier-General John H. Rice and Mr. G. L. Beer be appointed as American representatives on some sort of an Inter-Allied Commission to consider this whole question. The Commissioners approved of General Bliss’ letter, which Mr. Lansing agreed to sign. American Representatives on Inter-Allied Commission for Control of Arms Traffic