N. B. Information not available as to cranes at Cuxhaven, Elbing, Pillau, Königsberg, Danzig, Memel. Appendix II to CF-91 [The text of this appendix is identical with the report of the Legal Advisers read by M. Mantoux at the meeting of June 23, 5 p. m., CF-88, printed on page 641.] Paris Peace Conf. 180.03401/92 CF-92 Notes of a Meeting Held at President Wilson's House in the Place des Etats-Unis, Paris, on Wednesday, June 25, 1919, at 4 p. m. PRESENT 1. (M. Dutasta, Secretary-General of the Peace Conference, was introduced.) Date of Signature M. DUTASTA said that he had seen von Haniel, who told him he had telegraphed twice to Berlin asking who the German representatives would be and when they were due to arrive, but had received no answer. Von Haniel had added that the German Government had removed from Weimar to Berlin and that their first Cabinet Council in Berlin was to be held this morning. On the conclusion of that, he expected an answer. M. Dutasta had asked him to communicate again and he had promised to do so immediately. According to von Haniel, the German Government was encountering great difficulty in finding persons ready to sign the Treaty. He had made von Haniel understand that an answer was expected this evening, or tomorrow at the latest. M. CLEMENCEAU instructed M. Dutasta to proceed to Versailles tomorrow morning at 9 a. m. unless he had heard in the meanwhile from Colonel Henri. 2. M. MANTOUX said that M. Tardieu was in attendance to obtain a decision of principle on a point connected with the desire of the French Government to be allowed to buy or to borrow United States ships for communication with the French Colonies, for which France had a great in Shipping for the sufficiency of shipping. M. CLEMENCEAU said the question should first be sent to experts. (It was agreed, on President Wilson's suggestion:-That M. Tardieu should arrange for a joint memorandum to be prepared by the experts of the Allied and Associated Powers.) Ratification of the 3. M. CLEMENCEAU, in reply to Mr. Lloyd George, said it was his intention to hand the Treaty of Peace to Parliament as soon as possible after the signature. He would not make any explanatory speech and the next step would be for the examination of the Treaty by the Commissions of the Chamber and Senate. He did not expect to make his own statement until after the various Commissions had reported, perhaps not for three weeks. PRESIDENT WILSON said that he, himself, would leave Paris immediately after the signature of the Treaty. As soon as he arrived in the United States, he would take the Treaty to Congress. M. CLEMENCEAU thought there were advantages in President Wilson making the first speech on the subject. PRESIDENT WILSON said that, in his country, questions would then be asked as to why other Governments had done nothing. MR. LLOYD GEORGE said that he could fit in his speech about the same time as President Wilson's, although he was anxious to be away for the second and third weeks after his arrival in England. M. SONNINO said that the responsibility would be with the new Italian Government, but he thought there was little doubt they would proceed as rapidly as possible. In view of the necessity of reports by Commissions, probably a fortnight or so would elapse before the Treaty could be ratified. Penalties and 4. MR. LLOYD GEORGE brought forward a proposal he had received from Sir Ernest Pollock, the English Solicitor-General, suggesting that, in the light of the experience gained at Scapa Flow and the burning of French flags, steps should be taken to make the execution of Clauses 214 to 224 (Repatriation of Prisoners) and Clauses 227 to 230 (Penalties) interdependent. (Appendix I.) (It was generally agreed that this suggestion was a useful one and should be taken note of, but that no immediate decision should be taken for its adoption.) Trial of 5. MR. LLOYD GEORGE suggested to his colleagues that the Trial of the Kaiser should take place in some Allied country removed from those where resentment at the Kaiser was naturally the most acute. He suggested that either Great Britain or the United States of America would be the most advantageous from this point of view. the Kaiser PRESIDENT WILSON suggested that the Trial of the Kaiser should not take place in any great city. M. CLEMENCEAU said he would like to consult his colleagues on the subject and would give a reply on the following day. 6. MR. LLOYD GEORGE read the attached note from Admiral Hope regarding the disposition of surrendered German and Austrian surface ships and submarines. (Appendix II.) The Disposal of the German Ships and Submarines SIR MAURICE HANKEY pointed out that a report had already been furnished by the Allied Admirals in regard to submarines, Admiral De Bon having made a minority report. (It was agreed that:-The Allied Admirals should be asked to prepare a report advising the Council of the Principal Allied and Associated Powers as to what course they now recommended on all three heads.) Possible Surrender of Further German Merchant Ships 7. M. CLEMENCEAU adverted to the point he had raised at the morning meeting, namely, that France should be compensated for the loss she had incurred by the sinking of German ships at Scapa Flow, by being given some of the remaining German merchant ships and particularly oil tankers. (It was agreed:-That a Commission, composed as follows:Mr. Baruch for the United States of America, Mr. Hipwood (or representative) for the British Empire, M. Crespi (or representative) for Italy, and A Japanese representative to be nominated by Baron Makino, should meet to consider the possibility of exacting from Germany some reparation for the sinking of warships at Scapa Flow in the form of further merchant ships, special consideration being given to the case of oil tank vessels.) 8. PRESIDENT WILSON read the following questions presented by the Superior Blockade Council: Questions From the Superior Blockade Council 1. Does the Supreme Council, in view of the authorisation given by the Weimar Assembly to the German Delegates, desire that all restrictions upon trade with Germany shall be rescinded immediately upon the signatures of the Treaty of Peace by the German Delegation? 2. If not, upon what date shall these restrictions be rescinded? 3. When is the German Delegation expected to sign? If the Supreme Council desires that the blockade restrictions shall be raised upon the signature of the Treaty by the German Delegates and if the signature is likely to take place on Saturday, it is desirable that the Blockade Council should be so informed today. At least two days are required in which to terminate the present restrictions. At M. CLEMENCEAU's request the following note prepared by M. Mantoux, was read: "Provision ought to be made for the eventuality of the German Government signing the Treaty of Peace, but delaying its ratification in the hope to embarrass the Allies and to take advantage of any incidents that might arise. In 1871, it was stipulated by Art. 3 of the Preliminaries of Peace that the German troops were to evacuate Paris and the forts on the left bank of the Seine immediately after the act of ratification. Much to the surprise of the Germans, the Preliminaries which had been signed on February 26th, 1871, were ratified by the Bordeaux Assembly as soon as March 1st, and the exchange of ratifications took place at Versailles the day after. Paris was evacuated at once, after less than two days of occupation, and the triumphal entry of William I, which had been prepared for March 3rd, was cancelled. It may be useful today to remind the Germans of the fact that the blockade shall cease at the same moment as the state of war, and that legally what brings the state of war to an end is the exchange of ratifications. But for the sake of humanity, the Allied and Associated Governments may concede that as soon as they have been officially notified the ratification of the treaty by the National Assembly of Germany the blockade shall be raised. Such a declaration would encourage Germany to ratify the Treaty without delay, without fixing a narrow time limit to the debates in the representative Assemblies of the Allied and Associated countries." MR. LLOYD GEORGE said that this seemed reasonable. PRESIDENT WILSON reminded his colleagues of his reluctance to make women and children suffer for matters over which they exercised no influence. Nevertheless, the course proposed seemed the best in the circumstances. M. CLEMENCEAU said that in the Rhine provinces there was little hardship. PRESIDENT WILSON said that in the interior of Germany Mr. Hoover reported great shortage. (It was agreed:-That the Blockade should cease on the same date as the ratification of the Treaty of Peace, as provided for at the end of the Treaty.) 9. MR. LLOYD GEORGE Suggested that a special Committee should be set up to consider the working out of the various measures for putting the Treaty of Peace with Germany into effect. (The proposal was accepted in principle, and it was agreed that the members should be designated on the following day.) Measures for Putting Into Effect the Execution of the Treaty 10. With reference to C. F. 83, Minute 3,1 the Council had before them a report by the Commission on Baltic affairs on the question submitted to it by the Council on the 23rd June, as to the effect which the evacuation of the Baltic Provinces by Germany would have on the food supplies in this region, in the event of the removal of the rolling Effect of the Evacuation of the Baltic Provinces by Germany on the Food Supplies in This Region stock by the Germans. (Appendix III.) 1 Ante, p. 621. |