Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/89
Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Monday, June 16, 1919
June 16, 1919
- Present:
- Mr. Lansing
- Mr. White
- Gen. Bliss
- Mr. Herter
- 1.
- Mr. Herter informed the commissioners that Mr. Dyar, in Berlin, had been requested by Erzberger to go to Weimar, in case the German Government should have any communication to make to the American Delegation during the consideration of the final Peace Terms, and that Mr. Grew was about to instruct Mr. Dyar not to do so, but to remain in Berlin, unless the Commissioners decide otherwise. The Commissioners approved entirely of the action which Mr. Grew proposed to take in the premises. Instructions for Mr. Dyar
- 2.
- Mr. Herter read a memorandum signed by Prof. Coolidge, Dr. Seymour, Mr. Dresel, and Mr. Dulles, in regard to the Austrian Treaty and the first Austrian counter reply. This memorandum suggested that certain concessions of a territorial and economic nature be made in the Austrian Conditions of Peace. The Commissioners approved of the recommendations suggested in this memorandum and suggested that a copy of it be sent to the President with a statement that the Commissioners deem it most worthy of his consideration. Concessions in Austrian Treaty of Peace
- 3.
- Mr. Herter read a memorandum prepared by Major Tyler giving the substance of a conversation which he had had on June 14th with Baron Eichoff of the Austrian Delegation, together with a little supplemental memorandum containing certain information which he had received from that Delegation on June 15th. The Commissioners took note of these memoranda with great interest. In regard to the request of Mr. Frankenstein that the Austrian Delegation receive a copy of the Allies’ reply to the Germans, which was presumably to be presented on June 16th, the Commissioners felt that they were not in a position to take any action, but that the matter should formally be referred by the Austrian Delegation to the Secretary-General of the Peace Commission. Request by Austrian Delegation for Copy of reply to German Counter Proposals
- 4.
- Memorandum No. 366 was read giving the text of a letter written by Mr. Samuel Eliot Morison submitting his resignation from the Commission because of the adoption by the United States of a Russian Policy fundamentally opposed to his conception of what was practical toward Russia as [Page 236] a whole and what was just toward the Baltic States and with which he had been especially charged.98 The Commissioners requested that Mr. Grew merely acknowledge the letter in question and state that the Commissioners accepted Mr. Morison’s resignation. Resignation of Mr. Morison
- 5.
- Memorandum No. 367 was read inquiring whether the Commissioners would authorize Mr. Halstead, the representative of the Commission in Vienna, to hire an automobile in that city, the cost of which would be about $25.00 a day, which would be paid from the funds at the disposal of Mr. Halstead’s Mission. The Commissioners approved of Mr. Halstead making the expenditure in question. Automobiles for Amer. Commission in Austria
- 6.
- Memorandum No. 368 was read quoting a letter from Prof. Westermann recommending that Mr. Samuel Edelman be assigned to the Commission to assist in the Near Eastern Division and to act as a Liaison Officer with the Turkish Delegation in France. The Commissioners agreed that under present circumstances it would not be necessary to have Mr. Edelman assigned to the Commission in view of the fact that he was not well equipped to act as a Liaison Officer with the Turkish Mission and that his services did not appear to be essential in the Near Eastern Division. Request for Assignment of Mr. Samuel Edelman
- 7.
- Memorandum No. 369 was read with regard to the employment of Miss Wilson by the Commission to assist Lieut. Burden in compiling all the important decisions reached by the Council of Four, the Council of Five and the Council of Ten. The Commissioners approved entirely of the employment of Miss Wilson under the conditions indicated in the memorandum referred to. Assignment of Miss Wilson
- 8.
- Memorandum No. 370 was read quoting a memorandum from Capt. Newton to the effect that Prof. Lord advised that the services of 2nd Lieut. Adolph A. Berle, G. S., could be dispensed with after June 21st, 1919. The Commissioners felt that, in view of the valuable services being rendered by Lieut. Berle, it would be inadvisable for them to approve of this release at any specified date at the present moment. Request for Release of Lieut. Berle