763.72119/5603: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Acting Secretary of State
[Received 9:20 p.m.]
3063. For the President [from Lansing]. At the meeting of the Council of Five this afternoon M. Clemenceau stated that he had been requested, by the committee of the Chamber now examining the treaty with Germany, for copies of the printed minutes of the League of Nations Commission and inquired whether his colleagues on the Council had any objection to his furnishing the committee these minutes for their confidential information. I advised against it inasmuch as I believe that it would establish a very dangerous precedent. Copies of certain reports of conference commissions have been made public but none of the minutes of any of the commissions have been given out.
At M. Clemenceau’s request I undertook to inquire as to your wishes and will let him know your answer at the earliest moment possible. Meanwhile M. Clemenceau will delay making reply to the request of the committee of the Chamber. Lansing.