Office of the Historian

Paris Peace Conf. 184.00101/59

Minutes of the Daily Meetings of the Commissioners Plenipotentiary, Monday, April 28, 1919

April 28, 1919
  • Present:
    • Mr. Lansing
    • Mr. White
    • General Bliss
    • Mr. A. W. Dulles
[Page 167]
1.
Mr. White read a telegram from the Embassy at Rome in which Ambassador Page outlined some of the stories appearing in the Italian press regarding the circumstances of the publication by President Wilson of his statement regarding Fiume. Mr. Lansing remarked that he felt that in order to put an end to the false reports which had been appearing in this regard it would be well for the President to issue a short statement. Reports Regarding Italy
2.
General Bliss read a telegram which he had received from the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs in Switzerland which expressed the fears of the Ukrainians that Haller’s troops would be used against them. General Bliss stated that he was sending a copy of this telegram to the President. General Bliss added that he had received a noncommittal letter from Mr. Paderewski regarding the possibility of concluding an armistice in the Lemberg district. Fears of Ukrainians
3.
Mr. Dulles stated that Mr. Grew desired an expression of opinion from the Commissioners regarding the admission to the Plenary Sessions of Americans who were not needed by the Commissioners themselves. The Commissioners decided that Mr. Grew should draw up a list of those who might apply to him for admission, and who in his opinion could properly be admitted. This list should be checked up at the Quai d’Orsay in order to see that any Americans who had not previously obtained the necessary permission, and who are not rightfully entitled to enter should be excluded. Regarding Americans Attending Plenary Session
4.
The Commissioners read and discussed Mr. Williams’ memorandum of the conversation between Mr. Lansing and Viscount Chinda regarding Japanese claims in Shantung. Japanese Claims
5.
Memorandum No. 249 was read. The Commissioners noted and approved the suggestion of Mr. McCormick and Mr. Baruch that Mr. Noyes should be appointed in place of Mr. Brookings as American Commissioner on the Rhineland Commission which is being established by the Supreme Economic Council. Appointment of Representation on Rhineland Commission
6.
A telegram from Mr. Dresel regarding the request for the extension of the privileges of the American Courier Service in Germany to the American Red Cross and certain non-American activities was read. Mr. Lansing stated that in his opinion this matter should be left to the discretion of Mr. Dresel. Mr. White and General Bliss agreed, and expressed their entire confidence in Mr. Dresel’s judgement in the matter. Extension Privileges American Courier Service in Germany
7.
Memorandum No. 250 regarding the possible withdrawal of the Coolidge Mission from Vienna was read. The Commissioners did not see how it would be possible to withdraw the Mission at the present moment nor until the representatives of Austria and Hungary had been summoned to meet the Allies. The possibility of taking steps to replace the Coolidge Mission by Consular representatives was carefully considered and Mr. Lansing approved the suggestion that a telegram be sent to the Department of State pointing out the desirability of relieving Prof. Coolidge at the earliest possible moment and inquiring whether it would be possible to send a Consular officer to Vienna to act unofficially until the signature of Peace would make it possible for him to take out his exequatur. Mr. Lansing further approved the suggestion that the name of Mr. Coffin, former Consul General at Budapest, should be suggested to the Department as a man who might be qualified to take the place of Prof. Coolidge. Regarding Withdrawal Coolidge Mission
8.
Memorandum No. 251 was read regarding the sending of Mr. George R. Montgomery as American Commissioner to Constantinople to act temporarily in the absence of Mr. Heck. The Commissioners expressed the desire of consulting with Mr. Heck in regard to this matter before taking action on the above proposal, which was submitted by Prof. Westermann and approved by Mr. Morgenthau and Mr. Crane. Temporary Appointment in Mr. Heck’s Absence From Constantinople
9.
The Commissioners desire to know on whose authority Captain Earl Bassett had been appointed American representative on the Inter-Allied Sub-Commission at Posen, before passing upon the request of an allotment of $1,000 to defray his expenses. Additional Allotment to Capt. Bassett