Paris Peace Conf. 184.011/51c
Mr. Ellis Loring Dresel to the Secretary General of the Commission to Negotiate Peace ( Grew )
- 1.
- In reference to Prof. Coolidge’s dispatches No. 31 of January 20 and No. 33 of January 22,45 while a formal disavowal of action taken might lead to further bloodshed and should therefore be avoided, it is submitted that a ratification would be equally undesirable.
- 2.
- I venture to suggest that Prof. Coolidge should be advised that in future attempts to settle boundary disputes by American representatives should be avoided as they are clearly outside of the scope of the powers intended to be granted.
- 3.
- In my opinion the precedent should not be followed, if only for the reason that such matters can only be properly determined by joint action by Interallied representatives. In Austria-Hungary as well as in other enemy countries, the tendency is markedly on the increase to appeal to American representatives to act as arbiters between the warring nationalities or factions, and for this very reason especial care should be exercised that our representatives should not commit themselves to decisions which may afterwards prove embarrassing. The real and ultimate remedy is obviously to send in Interallied Commissions where local investigations are necessary to stop fighting or to harmonize serious differences. Such commissions could probably perform police duty which obviously should not be entrusted to one power alone.
- 4.
- As the matter in question has already received publicity through the Viennese papers, it is further recommended that the associated governments be advised of the circumstances and informed that a maintenance of the present status seems advisable without formal ratification or disavowal.
- 5.
- A draft of suggested telegram is hereto appended.46
January 29,
1919.