Office of the Historian

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/90

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Tuesday, June 17, 1919

June 17, 1919
  • Present:
    • Mr. Lansing
    • Mr. White
    • Gen. Bliss
[Page 237]
1.
Mr. Herter read a letter addressed by the President to Mr. Lansing, suggesting that Colonel Greene, Mr. Homer Johnson, and Mr. Morgenthau would constitute a well-balanced group to form an American Commission to investigate the alleged Jewish Pogroms in Poland, and requesting that if Mr. Lansing and his colleagues approved, these gentlemen be asked if they are willing to go. The Commissioners approved the suggestion made by the President, and requested that Mr. Grew be kind enough to write to the three gentlemen in question, on their behalf, stating that the President and the other members of the American Commission to Negotiate Peace would very much like to have them go. Commission To Investigate Programs in Poland
2.
Memorandum No. 371 was read, quoting a letter from Brigadier-General C. H. McKinstry, U. S. A., informing the Commission that a certain Major Baird who was under orders to return to the United States as a casual officer, was willing to remain in France and, because of his marked administrative ability, undoubtedly would be of use in connection with some of the Commissions to be appointed under the Peace Treaties. The Commissioners agreed that without having a specified job to offer Major Baird, they could not ask for his retention in France. They, therefore, felt that he had better return to the United States and be summoned back to France at a later date if his services were then required. Regarding Assignment of Major Baira
3.
Memorandum No. 372 was read, in which Admiral Knapp requested that Lieutenant-Commander Capeheart be attached to the Commission to assist Admiral Knapp in his work. The Commission approved of having Lieutenant-Commander Capeheart attached to the Commission for duty with Admiral Knapp. Assignment of Lieut-Commander Capeheart
4.
Memorandum No. 373 was read, enclosing a suggested telegram to the Department of State, in Washington, regarding the formation of a British Chamber of Commerce at Cologne, Germany. The Commissioners approved of the suggested telegram in question, with the exception of the last paragraph, which they felt should be completely omitted. In this connection, they stated that it was not a matter for the Peace Commission to recommend any action upon. British Chamber of Commerce at Cologne
5.
Memorandum No. 374 was read, inquiring whether the Commissioners had any objection to the contemplated visit to Germany of Mr. Hoyt S. Gale, geologist in the U. S. Geological Survey, who had come to Europe to investigate the sources of potash in Europe and the prospect of supplies for the United States. The Commissioners stated that they had no objection to Mr. Gale going to Germany, but that they would be unable to render him any particular assistance for his trip, since [Page 238] the whole question of his journey had absolutely nothing to do with the Peace Commission. Visit to Germany by Mr. Hoyt S. Gale