Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/92
Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Thursday, June 19, 1919
June 19, 1919
- Present:
- Mr. Lansing
- Mr. White
- Gen. Bliss
- 1.
- Memorandum No. 378 was read regarding a suggestion made by Colonel Peyton that it would undoubtedly add to the contentment of the men of the Headquarters Battalion if 1,000 francs would be allotted by the Commission to the Battalion Mess Fund. The Commissioners approved of this allotment provided it could be properly be [sic] made from the funds of the Commission. Allotment for Mess Fund of Headquarters Bn.
- 2.
- Memorandum No. 379 was read with regard to allowing Mr. Chauncey D. Snow, Commercial Attaché of the American Embassy in Paris, to receive a copy of the confidential report made by the Commission under General McKinstry on the damage done in the devastated regions. The Commissioners agreed that this was entirely a confidential report on a subject which, at the present time, was not of direct concern of the Department of Commerce, and it should therefore not be given to Mr. Snow. Request for Report on Devastated Regions
- 3.
- Memorandum No. 380 was read with regard to the expenses of Mr. Halstead’s Mission in Vienna. The Commissioners approved of Mr. Halstead’s suggestion that a per diem allowance be given to the members of his Commission, both military and civilian, and requested that the amount of this allowance be left at the discretion of Mr. Halstead. Per Diem Allowance to Members of Mission in Vienna
- 4.
- Memorandum No. 381 was read, calling attention to a telegram recently received from Mr. Gompers in regard to the Labor Clauses incorporated in the Treaty of Peace and inquiring whether the Commissioners desired to take any action on it. The Commissioners felt that as it had already been sent to the President, and inasmuch as it appeared that Mr. Grew was taking all the steps necessary in the premises, no action on their part was required. Labour Clauses: Telegram From Mr. Gompers
- 5.
- Mr. Herter read a Memorandum prepared by Mr. John Foster Dulles addressed to Mr. Lansing. The Commissioners were very glad to have the whole question of the assignment of personnel to continue the necessary negotiations of a Financial and Economic nature called to their attention, but felt that before reaching any definite conclusions, they should consult Messrs. Davis, Baruch, McCormick and Lamont in the premises. They therefore requested that, if possible, these gentlemen be so kind as to attend the first meeting of the Commissioners after their return from Brussels. Personnel To Continue the Necessary Negotiations on Financial and Economic Question
- 6.
- A memorandum, addressed by Mr. Patchin to Mr. Grew, in regard to the present status of the personnel of the Commission, was read to the Commissioners. They approved of the action already taken by Mr. Patchin, but stated they would be unable to give him any information as to how much of the Commission personnel should be kept in Paris if the Germans sign the Treaty, until Monday or Tuesday of the following week. Present Status of Personnel of the Commission
- 7.
- Memorandum No. 382 was read, with regard to the release from the Commission of Professor W. L. Westermann and Mr. David Magie. [Page 241] The Commissioners requested, before considering this matter further, to be given certain additional information in regard to the memorandum submitted by Professor Westermann. In the first place they inquired upon what information Mr. Westermann based his statement to the effect that “as it now appears, the United States will not be a signatory to the Treaty with Turkey.” In the second place, they desire to know who Mr. L. H. Gray was and what previous experience he had had in Near Eastern Affairs. Release of Prof. Westermann and Mr. Magie
- 8.
- Memorandum No. 383 was read with regard to the appointment of Major Tyler, to succeed Dr. Morison as the American representative on the Baltic Commission. The Commissioners approved highly of Major Tyler’s assignment as indicated. Appointment of Major Tyler to Baltic Commission
- 9.
- Memorandum No. 384 was read, with regard to a suggested reply to the American Commissioner at Helsingfors, respecting the use of American foodstuffs for military purposes rather than for civilian purposes. The Commissioners expressed their absolute and complete disapproval of the suggested telegram and requested that absolutely no action be taken in this matter until Major Devereux had arrived in Paris and had had a change to report. They desired to be informed immediately upon Major Devereux’s arrival in Paris. Use of American Foodstuffs in Finland