Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Paris Peace Conference, 1919, Volume XI

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/88

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Saturday, June 14, 1919

June 14, 1919

• Present:
  • Mr. Lansing
  • Mr. White
  • Gen. Bliss
  • Mr. Herter

1. Memorandum No. 360 was read regarding the Recommendation of Major Lawrence Martin, G. S. for appointment to Boundary Commissions for Austria Hungary. The memorandum was noted by the Commissioners. Recommendation of Major Lawrence Martin for Appointment to Boundary Commissions

2. Memorandums Nos. 361 and 362 were read relating to the release from the Commission [sic]. The Commissioners approved of the release of these two gentlemen on the dates indicated. Release of Dr. Day and Dr. Seymour

3. Memorandum No. 363 was read enclosing a letter from Messrs. Walsh and Dunne urging that favorable action be taken by the American Commissioners on the Senate Resolution respecting the issuance of safe-conduct by the British Government to Messrs. DeValera, Griffith and Plunkett and requesting that they be advised of whatever action the Commissioners saw fit to take. The Commissioners requested that the letter in question be sent to the President immediately without comment on their part. Irish Question

4. Memorandum No. 364 was read regarding a telegram which had been received from Mr. Polk requesting the opinion of the Commission as to the deportation of Mr. L. A. Martens, the so-called Bolshevik representative in New York and certain other undesirable aliens.⁹⁷ The Commissioners felt that, inasmuch as the President had already given his opinion in regard to this matter, namely, that, “Apparently Martens, though pestiferous, has so far done nothing that we can allege to be illegal”, and that, “In these days of international complications it is wise to go carefully in a case like this”, the Commissioners would not care to add anything to what the President had already said, and, therefore, requested that a telegram be sent to Mr. Polk giving him the views of the President in the premises. Deportation of Mr. L. A. Martens and Other Undesirables From U S.

5. Memorandum No. 365 was read with regard to the placing by the Commission of certain information on the Jewish situation in Poland at the disposal of Mr. Louis Marshall. The Commissioners felt that, as a general rule, no official material should be given to Mr. Marshall unless special instructions were issued by the Commissioners. Information Regarding Polish Pogroms Requested by Mr. Marshall

97. For papers relating to the proposed deportation of Mr. Martens, see Foreign Relations, 1919, Russia, pp. 144 ff.