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  4. Document 68

Paris Peace Conf. 180.03401/86

CF–86

Notes of a Meeting Held at President Wilson’s House in the Place des Etats-Unis, Paris, on Monday, June 23, 1919, at 4 p.m.

Paris, June 23, 1919, 4 p.m.
  • Present
    • United States of America
      • President Wilson
    • British Empire
      • The Rt. Hon. D. Lloyd George, M. P.
      • The Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour, O. M., M. P.
    • France
      • M. Clemenceau.
      • M. Loucheur.
    • Italy
      • M. Sonnino.
    • Japan
      • Baron Makino.
Sir Maurice Hankey, K. C. B. } Secretaries.
Count Aldrovandi.
Prof. P. J. Mantoux.—Interpreter.

1. Mr. Lloyd George said that Dr. Benes wished to bring the Czecho-Slovaks home to Czecho-Slovakia through Archangel. Mr. Churchill had spoken to him on the subject. The Slovaks in suggestion was that the Czecho-Slovaks might be used to open the communications between Koltchak and Archangel, with a view to their withdrawal. At present, they were used to guard a portion of the Siberian railway, so that the result would be that the United States and Japanese troops would have to take over a part of the communications now held by the Czechoslovaks. He did not ask for an immediate decision, but requested President Wilson and Baron Makino to examine the question. Mr. Churchill was ready to discuss the question with them at any time. Czecho-Slovaks in Siberia

2. Mr. Lloyd George raised for consideration the following proposals made by Sir George Riddell in connection with the ceremony of signing the Treaty of Peace at Versailles:— The Signing of the Treaty of Peace: Arrangements for the Press

1.
In the Hall there are to be two groups of seats for (a) the Press, and (b) the visitors respectively. Sir George Riddell asked that the front row of such group (both Press and Visitors) might be reserved for the Press.
2.
He asked that the ceremony might take place at 11 a.m., in order to give time for the transmission of full reports for publication in the newspapers of the following morning.
3.
He asked that the various sections allotted to the Press might be kept separate according to nationality. Otherwise, he apprehended a scrambling for seats.

(It was agreed that the Council should meet the principal Press Representative in Paris of each of the Five Principal Allied and Associated Powers on Tuesday, June 24th, at 2.30 p.m. in the Hall at Versailles, where the Treaty of Peace is to be signed.)

Villa Majestic, Paris , June 23, 1919.