Office of the Historian

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/45

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Thursday, April 3rd, 1919

April 3, 1919
  • Present:
    • Mr. Lansing
    • Mr. White
    • General Bliss
    • Mr. Herter

1. Memorandum No. 203 was read with regard to the salary which should be allowed to Lieut. Howe in payment for his services as the American representative on the Inter-Allied Teschen Commission. The Commissioners agreed that a salary of $3,000 per annum was not in the slightest degree excessive. Salary of Lt. Howe

2. Memorandum No. 204 was read with regard to certain measures which Col. Olds, the Commissioner for Europe of the American Red Cross felt that it was advisable to have taken with respect to the epidemic of Spotted Typhus which is reported to be spreading in alarming proportions in certain districts of Russia and Poland. The Commissioners believed that the President was not in a position to make any transfer of medical supplies etc. from the Army to the Red Cross, and thought that this could only be done either through direct purchase by the Red Cross from the Liquidating Commission of the A. E. F. or through some enactment of Congress. They request, however, that the question be discussed with Mr. McNeir in order to ascertain the exact facts in the premises. Typhus Epidemic in Russia and Poland

3. Memorandum No. 205 was read suggesting that four officers at present attached to the Peace Commission be assigned to Messrs. King and Crane, whom the President had appointed as the American representatives on an Inter-Allied Committee to investigate conditions in those portions of Turkey which are to be permanently separated from Turkey and put under the guidance of Governments acting as Mandatories for the League of Nations. The Commissioners agreed that it would undoubtedly be wise to assign the officers in question to Messrs. King and Crane, but believed that the Commission had no authority to do this unless the last named gentlemen requested this extra assistance. It was therefore suggested that Messrs. King and Crane be spoken to informally about this matter, and that if they concurred in the advisability of being given expert assistance, they write a letter to the Commissioners requesting it. Mission to Turkey

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Memorandum No. 190 was also considered in connection with the memorandum in question, and the Commissioners agreed that if any party was to be assigned to Messrs. King and Crane, it would be advisable to refrain from sending Mr. Dominian as a member of this party. They thought that under these circumstances, it would be best for Mr. Dominian to return to the State Department at once where his services appear to be badly needed. They likewise felt that the allotment of $18,500 which they had previously approved should probably be put at the disposal of Messrs. King and Crane.

4. Memorandum No. 206 was read to which was attached a suggested letter to General Pershing in regard to the demobilization from the army of officers attached to the Commission. The Commissioners were much pleased with the letter in question, feeling that it exactly expressed their sentiments in this matter. They suggested, however, that a clause be added to the letter stating that because of their views as expressed therein, they were enclosing the papers in the case of Major Thomas and Lieut. James without comment, and for such action as General Pershing might see fit to take. Regarding Officers Being Demobilized in France