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

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/96

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Wednesday, June 25, 1919

June 25, 1919

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

1. Mr. Herter inquired whether, in the group photograph of the Commission which was [to be?] taken at 2:15 on the same day, the Commissioners would be willing to have the members of the various departments of the Commission present, or only heads of those departments. The Commissioners agreed that all persons attached to the Commission who had been actively engaged in assisting with the work of the Treaty, etc., should be present too. Photograph Members of Commission

2. Mr. Herter stated that Mr. Grew had recently been overwhelmed with requests from persons having no direct connection with the Commission to be permitted to attend the session of the Conference when the Treaty with Germany would be signed, and that Mr. Grew had been greatly embarrassed to know how to answer these requests. The Commissioners agreed that no reply whatever should be made to any applicant, but that his name should be taken by Mr. Grew and should be submitted in a list to the Commissioners for definite approval. Requests for Permission To Attend Signing of Peace Treaty

3. Memorandum No. 398 was read in which Dr. Shotwell requested that Captain Gilchrist be placed in charge of the Library and given the title of Librarian, in Dr. Shotwell’s place. The Commissioners approved entirely of having Captain Gilchrist given the title of Librarian, and likewise desired that an expression of their appreciation for his good service be conveyed to him. Appointment of Captain Gilchrist as Librarian

4. Memorandum No. 399 was read in regard to the demobilization of Sgt. C. J. Gersbach, who had been working for Lieut. Noble in the French Political Intelligence Department. The Commissioners approved entirely of the Commission’s assisting Sgt. Gersbach in taking such steps as might be necessary to secure his demobilization, and likewise felt that if his retention with the Commission was desired, after demobilization, suitable compensation should be given him. Demobilization of Sgt. C. J. Gersbach

5. Memorandum No. 400 was read, stating that Capt. Chenay, who had been in charge of the files of the Commission, desired to have his wife join him in Paris. The Commissioners approved of the State Department’s being requested to issue a passport to Mrs. Chenay, subject to the approval of the Army authorities. Passport for Mrs. A. A. Chenay

6. Memorandum No. 401 was read in regard to the retention of a Military Detachment to police the Austrian customs control of exports into Germany and Hungary, even after the signature of Peace with Germany. The Commissioners stated that the Commission would be willing to pay the expenses of this Military Detachment until the signing of Peace with Austria. Military Detachment for Austrian Customs Control

7. Memorandum No. 402 was read with regard to the request made by Dr. J. T. Shotwell that he be released from duty with the Commission on July 1st. In view of the arguments submitted by Dr. Shotwell, the Commissioners approved of his request to be relieved on the date indicated. Release of Dr. J. T. Shotwell

In this connection the Commissioners requested that letters of appreciation be drafted for the signature of the four Commissioners at the Hotel Crillon, to be sent to all departing members of the Commission who had assisted materially in shaping the Treaty of Peace, and that similar letters be likewise sent to those individuals who had already departed.

8. Mr. Herter informed the Commissioners that Mr. Garrett, the American Minister at the Hague, was extremely anxious that some arrangements be made whereby certain Dutch newspaper men be allowed to visit the Western front, under the guidance of American officers. The Commissioners felt that this was not a matter for the Peace Commission to consider, but that Mr. Garrett should make his recommendations in the premises to the Embassy for such action as Mr. Wallace considered appropriate. Permission for Dutch Newspaper Men To Visit Battlefront

9. Mr. Herter brought to the Commissioners’ attention the fact that Mr. Charles B. Dyar, who for some time past had been in Berlin on behalf of the Peace Commission and who had been sending in very valuable reports on German political information, would shortly be obliged to leave Berlin, since he was under the orders of General Harries, and since General Harries, together with his entire staff, would be obliged to leave Germany immediately upon the signature of Peace. The Commissioners agreed that it would be extremely advisable for Mr. Dyar to remain in Berlin and continue his service with the Commission, if it were possible to make the necessary arrangements. They, therefore, requested that Mr. Dresel ascertain at once whether adequate Courier service could be established for Mr. Dyar and whether, if a code from the Commission was sent to Mr. Dyar, the German authorities would give him the privilege of using this code even after the signature of Peace. Retention of Mr. Dyar in Berlin

10. Memorandum No. 403 was read, indicating that the President, through lack of time on his own part, believed that it would be advisable if Mr. Lansing and his colleagues could receive the Ukrainian Delegation, Messrs. Margolin, Schulgin, and Paneiko, who are at present in Paris. The Commissioners agreed that they would be glad to receive the Ukrainian delegates in question and fixed Friday, June 27th, at 10:45 a.m. as the time and date upon which they would receive them. They desired, however, that it be made [known?] to the Ukrainian Delegates that there was just a possibility of the Commissioners not being able to meet them at the time indicated, because of unforeseen eventualities; but, in that case, they would certainly see them in the coming week. Ukrainian Delegation

11. Memorandum No. 404 was read, with regard to the release of Professor Coolidge and Mr. Franklin E. Parker from the Commission. The Commissioners approved of Professor Coolidge’s engaging passage for the United States at a date not earlier than August 4th, and stated that they were certain that they could approve of his release at that time unless something absolutely unforeseen should come up in the interim. Release of Professor Coolidge and Mr. Franklin E. Parker

12. Mr. Herter read a memorandum from Professor Douglas Johnson in regard to the matter of the latter’s release from service with the Commission. The Commissioners considered very carefully the conditions upon which Professor Johnson stated he would be willing to stay with the Commission, and while agreeing entirely with the reasonableness of his requests, were not quite certain as to whether they were practical of fulfillment. They, therefore, requested Mr. White to consult with Mr. McNeir about this matter and to ascertain whether or not arrangements satisfactory to Professor Johnson could be made. Request of Professor Douglas Johnson for Release