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

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/100

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Tuesday, July 1, 1919

July 1, 1919

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

1. The Commissioners approved of having General Edgar Jadwin take the place of Colonel Warwick Greene on the Commission to Poland. Appointment of Gen. Jadwin to Polish Commission

2. The Commissioners approved of the creation of a Russian Division, composed in accordance with the following schedule, with the understanding that General Bliss would charge himself with the oversight of all Russian matters dealt with by the Commission and would, accordingly, initial all outgoing correspondence connected therewith:—Secretariat, Mr. Whitehouse; European Russia and Poland, Dr. Lord; Baltic Provinces, Colonel Greene and Major Tyler (A member of Col. Greene’s staff at Riga will come to Paris when Col. Greene leaves); Caucasus and Asia Minor, Mr. Buckler; Siberia, Captain Hornbeck and Mr. Marshall. Russian Division of American Peace Commission

3. Memorandum No. 417 was read in regard to a request submitted by Mr. Lithgow Osborne to be released from the Commission, in order to return to the United States to apply at the Department of State to be placed en disponibilité for a year. The Commissioners approved of Mr. Osborne’s release for the purposes indicated. Release of Mr. Osborne

4. Memorandum No. 418 was read, stating that Mr. Patchin requested to be relieved from the Commission, on or about July 15th. The Commissioners approved of Mr. Patchin’s release at that date. Release of Mr. Patchin

5. Memorandum No. 419 was read, stating that Mr. J. G. D. Paul, a member of the Division of Current Diplomatic and Political Correspondence, had applied to be released from the Commission at the end of the current week, in order to enable him to return to the United States. The Commissioners approved of Mr. Paul’s release on the date indicated. Release of Mr. Paul

6. Memorandum No. 420 was read in regard to the request made by Lieutenant J. H. Smith, Jr. to be relieved from duty with the Commission on or about July 15. The Commissioners stated that they had understood from Mr. Grew that Lt. Smith would replace Mr. Patchin, provided Mr. Patchin’s release was approved, and they therefore felt that they would be unable to approve of Lt. Smith’s release, unless Mr. Grew could report favorably thereon and explain satisfactorily how the vacancy which would be created by Mr. Patchin’s release could properly be filled. In this connection the Commissioners stated that it was the duty of the chief of each bureau to see that his bureau was not depleted in its personnel to such an extent as to harm the work which still has to be done, and that it would be necessary therefore in future to have every request from an applicant for release approved by the chief of the bureau in which that applicant was employed. Request of Lieut. Smith for Release

7. Memorandum No. 421 was read, quoting a letter dated June 30 from Mr. Auchincloss in regard to the release of the personnel employed in Colonel House’s office. The Commissioners felt that they could not release the Naval personnel referred to in Mr. Auchincloss’ letter, without the approval of Admiral Knapp, and therefore requested that this matter be referred to him. Release of Personnel in Col. House’s Office

In regard to Mr. Shepardson and Mr. Auchincloss, they noted the fact that these gentlemen’s resignations had already been accepted. They inquired, however, as to the status of Miss Frances B. Denton. They had been under the impression that she was a personal employee of Col. House’s and that therefore there would be no necessity of their approving or disapproving her release from the Commission or having her name removed from the rolls of the Commission. Mr. Frazier’s release was approved of, but the Commissioners stated they could take no action in the case of Miss Marcou and Mr. W. S. Byars without first receiving an expression of opinion in the premises from Mr. Grew.

8. Memorandum No. 422 was read, quoting a letter from Messrs. Morgenthau, Johnson and General Edgar Jadwin, requesting an appropriation to cover the expenses of these gentlemen on their trip to Poland, together with authorization to Purchase three Cadillac limousines and one Cadillac touring car, together with the necessary equipment and employment of personnel. The Commissioners approved of an initial appropriation of $10,000 for the expenses of this Commission, as well as the purchase of two Cadillac limousines and one Cadillac touring car, together with the necessary equipment and employment of personnel. Purchase of Automobiles for Commission to Poland

9. Mr. Herter read a memorandum prepared by Col. Grant and warmly endorsed by Mr. Grew, recommending the promotion of 1st Lieut. C. G. Burden to the rank of Captain. After a brief discussion, the Commissioners decided to refer this matter to General Bliss for final disposition and to accept any action which he might consider advisable to take in the premises. Question of Promotion of Lieut. C. G. Burden

10. A memorandum addressed by Lieut. R. C. Foster to Mr. Grew, dated June 30, 1919, was read to the Commissioners. In this memorandum Lt. Foster stated that, owing to his experience in Poland he felt under certain obligations to accept Mr. Morgenthau’s invitation to accompany him on his visit of investigation of the Jewish question in Poland and that therefore he requested the Commissioners to suspend action on the question of his release and, at the same time, hold up his papers applying for his discharge from the United States Army. The Commissioners approved entirely of Lieut. Foster’s remaining with the Commission for duty with the special commission for the investigation of the Jewish question in Poland and likewise his retention in the Army. Assignment of Lieut. Foster to Commission Going to Poland

11. Memorandum No. 423 from Messrs. Davis, McCormick, Baruch and Lamont, was read, advising the Commissioners that Mr. John Foster Dulles would be in charge of the reparation and financial clauses of the treaties with Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey. Reparation and Financial Clauses in the Treaties With Austria, etc.

12. Memorandum No. 424 was read with regard to certain suggestions made by Captain D. B. Gilchrist, Librarian of the Commission, in regard to the disposition of the Commission Library. The Commissioners felt that it would not be wise to plan to have the Library completely closed up and therefore requested that Capt. Gilchrist leave the library in statu quo unless at a later date it should be found advisable to close it down. At the same time, the Commissioners requested that Captain Gilchrist submit a report as to the exact status of the Library, with particular reference to the nature of the material which he had in the library, the source from which this material came, and the funds which provided it. They likewise desire a report from Captain Gilchrist as to a statement made to one of the Commissioners that some of the books in the library had recently been sent to G–2, at Chaumont, when these books had been purchased by money belonging to the Commission and were therefore the property of the Department of State. They felt that if this report were exact, the individual responsible for the transfer of this State Department property to the Army would have to be directly responsible for them and for any loss which might have been incurred. Library of the Commission

13. Memorandum No. 425 was read, inquiring whether the Commissioners desired to authorize the use of a portion of the funds allotted to the American Section of the International Commission on Mandates in Turkey, for the purchase of motor cars for their use in Constantinople and in Turkey. The Commissioners stated that they had no objection to the purchase of these cars in question by the members of the American Section of the Commission on Mandates in Turkey, but requested that should such cars be bought by them, they be turned over to the American officials in Constantinople as soon as they were no longer required by Messrs. King and Crane. Purchase of Motor Cars for International Commission on Mandates in Turkey

14. Memorandum No. 426 was read in regard to requesting Mr. Dewitt C. Poole, formerly American Consul and Acting Consul General of the U. S. at Archangel to report in Paris for the purpose of meeting the Commissioners. The Commissioners felt that it would be extremely well worth while to have Mr. Poole come to Paris and were extremely anxious to receive from him a first-hand statement in regard to the affairs in the north of Russia. They therefore requested that the State Department be asked to order Mr. Poole to Paris to report to the Commission. Mr. Dewitt C. Poole To Report to Commission in Paris

15. Memorandum No. 427 was read, in which Mr. Grew suggested that a small committee be designated by the Commissioners to keep them advised of appointments which must be made in accordance with the terms of the Peace Treaty and to submit to them a list of suggested names in each instance. The Commissioners approved highly of Mr. Grew’s suggestion and requested that they have presented to them a list of the individuals whom Mr. Grew [considered?] to be properly qualified to serve on such a committee. Appointment of Committee for Suggestion of Members for Various Committees Under Peace Treaty

In regard to the appointment of Mr. Grant Smith on the Commission to deal with the Schleswig question, the Commissioners requested that a telegram be drafted to the Department of State to the effect that they consider it highly improper that a member of the American Legation in Denmark should be appointed on such a commission. They likewise desire that the State Department be informed that they were endeavoring to secure a competent army officer with experience in other fields where plebiscites were taking place, to fill this post. They also suggested that the State Department take up with the War Department the question of the assignment of such an officer, at the same time inquiring whether Colonel Solbert, at present American Military attaché in London, could be made available for this purpose.

The meeting adjourned at 11:30 and reconvened at 12 noon. Mr. Hoover, Col. Logan and Mr. Hudson entered the meeting. Mr. Hoover stated that he had come to the Commissioners to discuss the whole Hungarian question in general and the matter of opening up the Danube in particular. The normal functioning of the river trade on the Danube was one of the chief clues to settling the entire Central European problem. This, at the present time, was impossible with Bela Kun in power at Budapest. The time had now come when the Allied and Associated Powers would either have to negotiate with Bela Kun or else throw him out by force of arms. All of the British and American economic and food relief experts were strongly of the opinion that he should be thrown out. In any case, a decision would have to be taken very urgently, and only the Supreme Council could make such a decision.

Mr. Hoover then read a memorandum prepared by Col. Logan, embodying many facts which have been collected in regard to Bela Kun’s activities and the necessity of supplanting his government by some better balanced organization. Mr. Hoover was convinced that the two French divisions at present in the Southeast of Europe were fully capable of accomplishing this act. It would be inopportune to allow either the Czecho-Slovaks, Jugo-Slavs or the Roumanians to invade Hungary, because of the fact that the present Hungarian army contained a very large Nationalist element which had not turned Red and which would resent any occupation which appeared to have an ulterior motive.

The Commissioners agreed that this was a very urgent question and they therefore requested Mr. Hoover to send to them copies of a memorandum embodying his ideas on this subject, which they stated they would then have circulated to the members of the Council of Ten, with a view to having the matter discussed at an early meeting of that Body.

Mr. Hoover then inquired as to the present status of Upper Silesia. He explained that the coal fields in this region constituted the most important source of coal for Central Europe and that unless some stable arrangement were made in that district for the proper allocation of coal to various states interested, there would be constant dissatisfaction in that region. He was convinced that by an informal arrangement between Germany, Czecho-Slovakia and Poland, it would be possible for an American coal dictator to be named who would have full control over the allocation of coal from this whole district to the different sections where it was needed. The Commissioners expressed their approval of such an arrangement being effected if possible.

The Commissioners discussed with Mr. Hoover the question of the appointment of an American arbitrator or arbitrators provided for in the Treaty of Peace, to determine the cession and distribution of canal boats, etc. on the Danube, Oder, Elbe, etc. Mr. Hoover explained that this was a very vital problem which required immediate attention and that he, in his capacity as chairman of the Supreme Economic Council or as director of Relief in Europe would be glad to make the appointment of the individual whom the Commissioners might select for this purpose, in order that that individual might familiarize himself with conditions before he could receive his final appointment as arbitrator after the ratification of the treaty. Mr. Hudson suggested that Mr. Chamberlain, of New York, would be an excellent man for this position owing to the fact that he had made a special study of transportation problems in Europe with particular reference to the Danube. Mr. Hoover suggested that, because of the excellent organization in the navy it might be possible to obtain cooperation between some naval expert and Mr. Chamberlain, but that in any case he would be glad to consult with Admiral Knapp on this point.

The Commissioners discussed the question of an American mandate over Armenia and Constantinople. Mr. Hoover expressed himself as being very adverse to the United States becoming the mandatory power in Armenia alone for the following reasons:

Armenia was the poorhouse of Europe. It was at present overrun with Turks and in order to repatriate the Armenians an equivalent number of Turks would have to be replaced. This would require an army, and an army of at least 50,000 to 100,000 men. … Altogether such an undertaking would cost the United States at least $100,000,000 a year for many years.

In Mesopotamia, however, the situation was very different. This was the richest and most fertile country of Asia Minor and could easily be developed to support an additional population of from 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 people. It would therefore be only fair to the power which took a mandate over Armenia to give it at the same time a mandate over Mesopotamia. The British had, however, spent a great deal of money and shed much blood in order to become the possessors of Mesopotamia, and it would therefore be very difficult to oust them from this country. Accordingly, Mr. Hoover suggested that the British be told that the United States would be glad to take a mandate over Armenia provided they were able to have Mesopotamia at the same time. Or that, vice versa, that if Great Britain wished to maintain a mandate over Mesopotamia, they should at the same time assume the same obligation for Armenia. He was convinced that the British would rather bear the burden of Armenia than run the risk of losing Mesopotamia.

In regard to Constantinople, Mr. Hoover felt that it would be a terrific burden and a public act of charity for the United States to take a mandate over this city, or of the area in which the city would be located. At the present time the city has a population of 2,000,000 people and is entirely without any economic resources or any hinterland. As a port, it serves no purpose except as the gateway to the Black Sea, as a coaling station, and as a home for pilots. Modern conditions of traffic no longer made it necessary for ships even to stop in the port, and that it was inevitable, therefore, that the city should soon be reduced to about 200,000 inhabitants, or else that the 2,000,000 inhabitants should be supported as a matter of charity of some Great Power. Mr. Hoover thought that France would be the logical power to receive a mandate over this City because of her future associations which France would undoubtedly have with Russia.

The Commissioners inquired of Mr. Hoover his opinion in regard to the appointment of Mr. John Gade as a civil commissioner to go to the Baltic Provinces as suggested by Mr. Polk. Mr. Hoover thought that this would not be a very advisable appointment and that Colonel Greene was much the best person to act as the American representative in these provinces.