Paris Peace Conf. 184.0131/27: Telegram
Brigadier General George H. Harries to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received 9:30 p.m.]
23. For Colonel House and Grew from Dresel. Shall greatly appreciate immediate instructions as to my continued stay here. After full consideration, I believe my remaining here solely for purpose of keeping Commission informed is not necessary and perhaps not advisable on account of attitude outlined in my No. 20, April 26, 1:00 p.m. I have always felt that present Mission should be more than a mere information bureau. If therefore, partly on account of unconciliatory attitude of government and partly by reason of difficulty, which I realize, of giving me definite instructions from time to time, close contact with government sources is rendered impracticable, it would seem that return of Mission is indicated. Press Bureau is now efficiently organized and can continue after my departure under Dyar, who can also transmit information received through other channels.
I shall therefore leave here next Saturday morning, May 3rd, unless I receive definite instructions to the contrary.6 In this last case I venture to request full instructions as to how much longer Commission wishes me to stay and especially as to the course it wishes me to follow in future conversations. Osborne leaves here, in any case, on Saturday morning, and should the Commission decide that my continued stay is necessary, please send Minot here at once in his place. [Dresel.]
- The Commission replied in telegram No. 5 of April 30, 1919, “Your plans approved.”↩