Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/95
Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Tuesday, June 24th, 1919
June 24, 1919
- Present:
- Mr. Lansing
- Mr. White
- Mr. Herter
- 1.
- Mr. Herter read a memorandum prepared by Mr. Patchin, regarding the discontinuance of the service of the Commmittee on Public [Page 245] Information by June 30th. Mr. Patchin outlined the services which that Committee had been rendering in the distribution of Presidential messages, etc. etc. and inquired whether, interests of the Peace Commission, these services should not be continued. The Commissioners felt that they would be willing to pay the expenses of the New York and Paris offices of the Committee for a short time longer, if Mr. Patchin could persuade the various officials to continue with their work. But at the same time they desired very much to discuss with Mr. Patchin just what functions of the Committee it would be important to maintain in the near future. Service of the Committee on Public information
- 2.
- Mr. Herter inquired whether the Commissioners desired to have the service of the Bureau of Current Intelligence Summaries continued, in view of the fact that much of its personnel had already been, depleted and the information which it is now gathering was, in his opinion, not of special importance to warrant its continuation. The Commissioners agreed that it would be well to disband this Bureau as soon as possible and release all the personnel attached thereto. Discontinuance of Bureau of Current Intelligence Summaries
- 3.
- Memorandum No. 394 was read, indicating that Dr. Chas. Seymour no longer required the services of Capt. Lester W. Perrin after June 26th, and inquiring whether Capt. Perrin could be released The Commissioners agreed that they would be willing to release Captain Perrin provided Professor Coolidge or Mr. Johnson, who will be handling Austrian and Hungarian affairs after Dr. Seymour’s departure, approve thereof. Release of Capt. Perrin
- 4.
- Memorandum No. 395 was read, in which Mr. Patchin requested an expression of opinion regarding the advisability of sending out telegraphic communications between the Chateau at Versailles and the Department of State in Washington, over which official despatches might be sent at the time of the signing of the Peace Treaty. The Commissioners approved entirely of having the final arrangements made for completing the telegraphic circuit in question. Telegraphic Communication From Versailles to Washington
- 5.
- Memorandum No. 396 was read, with regard to the assignment of 2nd Lieut. Russell C. Crouse to the Commission for work in Dr. Lord’s office. The Commissioners approved of Lieut. Crouse’s assignment for the purpose indicated. Assignment of Lieut. Crouse
- 6.
- Memorandum No. 397 was read, quoting the text of a letter received from the office of Mr. Hoover, regarding the desire of Professor E. D. Adams, of Stanford University, to have the Privilege of reading, and, wherever possible, securing copies of documents of interest relating to the Peace Conference, in order to prepare a collection of historical data for Stanford University on the [Page 246] activities of the war and of peace. The Commissioners agreed that it would not be advisable to allow Prof. Adams to have access to the documents of the Peace Commission at the present time and suggested that he be informed that if he so desired, he should apply for any material of this nature to the State Department in Washington. Request for Copies of Documents, etc. Concerning Peace Conference