[Sailor Steve]

January 23, 1919

PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE
Day 5

1030: M Pichon's Hotel Suite

1. M Clemenceau opens the meeting with the question of whether the delegates have made their nominations for Commissioners to Poland. America has made nominations. France does so now. Britain and Italy say they have not, but will this afternoon.

2. M Clemenceau states that France has made nominations for the Russian Commission. Baron Makino says that Japan will list nominations as soon as possible.

3. Commissioners for the League of Nations are named.

4. Mr Lloyd George presents his draft on disarmament. During the discussion on this Baron Makino suggests substituting the word "reduction" for the more absolute "disarmament". Mr Lloyd George points out that this draft is for discussion purposes only, and not meant to be shown to former enemy nations. He believes that former enemy forces should be reduced to the absolute minimum necessary for internal order to be maintained. President Wilson suggests that Germany be given time to show what forces they really need before proceeding. M Clemenceau says he will call Marshall Foch to testify. Mr Lloyd George he cannot accept any judgement from Marshall Foch without equal consultation with British experts. M Clemenceau states that he will be glad to hear from British, American, and any other experts on the subject.

5. It is pointed out that the situation in Germany has worsened over the past few days. With the fall of the Spartacist Party German commanders have become more arrogant and German forces seem to be massing against Poland. This said, it is pointed out that while the Allies support Poland, they cannot condone Poland attacking Germany while at the same time asking Germany to disarm.

6. Mr Lloyd George brings up the subject of Allied forces in Europe. He says that the numbers demanded by Marshall Foch cannot be maintained. M Orlando suggests that the subject of German disarmament is one for the Disarmament Committee, not the Peace Conference. He therefore believes that the Small Powers should not be concerned with this question. M Clemenceau states that he was unaware of any demands made by Marshall Foch, and suggests that one general from Britain, France, America and Italy should meet and discuss this subject and report their opinions to the Greater Powers Committee. President Wilson agrees. It is decided that the Supreme War Council should be present at tomorrow's morning meeting.

7. M Clemenceau reads a draft from Mr Lloyd George concerning the International Legislation on Industrial and Labour Questions. M Orlando requests that the draft be put to a vote by the full Conference on Saturday. M Clemenceau says that it will be put up for discussion, but not voted on. The five Great Powers will have two delegates each to this Commission, with the Lesser Powers having five delegates between them.

8. M Pichon points out that Poland, probably the greatest victim in this area, has been omitted from the Reparations Committee. It is agreed that Poland should have a place there. A resolution on delegates to this committee is adopted.

9. A Committee on "Breaches of Law", i.e. War Crimes, is discussed. This will only apply to such breaches committed by the Central Powers.

10. M Clemenceau states that the Agenda for Saturday's General Meeting will consist of discussions on the Resolutions proposed in this meeting and that of the previous day.

11. M Clemenceau states that a number of Territorial and Colonial questions still remain. It is pointed out that it will take some time for all the nations involved to prepare documents for presentation on this question.

12. A committee is proposed for governance of Ports, Waterways and Railways. Rules for delegates are laid down.

13. M Clemenceau points out that many Financial questions remain to be discussed, mainly concerning who owes what to whom. A committee is proposed to address these questions.

14. Mr Lloyd George brings up the question of whether Reparations claims should take precedence over the national debt of the enemy countries. It is agreed that this should be addressed by the committee formed for that task.


Born on this day:

Bob Paisley, English football player & manager, born in Hetton-le-Hole, United Kingdom (died 1996).

Ernie Kovacs, American comedian and television star, born in Trenton, New Jersey (died 1962).

Hans Hass, Austrian zoologist and underwater scientist, born in Vienna, Austria (d. 2013)

Nina Dumbadze, Soviet discus thrower (Olympic bronze 1952), born in Odessa, Ukraine (died 1983).