[Sailor Steve]

Monday, February 17, 1919

PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE
Day 26

M Pichon's hotel suite, Quai d’Orsay, 15:00


1. Marshal Foch has returned from meeting with the German representatives on the 14th. Herr Erzberger has taken the papers relating the Allied views and returned two demands from the German side:


1) Repatriation of German prisoners.


2) To the action taken by the French in Alsace-Lorraine against German industrialists holding property removed from France and Belgium.


Marshal Foch relates his reply to the Germans:

a) Full repatriation is impossible at this time, but everything will be done to send home sick and wounded prisoners as soon as possible.


b) Herr Erzeberger’s view is that proceedings cannot not be taken against private individuals holding property removed from France and Belgium during the war, because they had received it from the German Government. The Allied point of view is that these goods could be recovered wherever found. Marshal Foch has told the Germans that these points will be submitted to Judicial Authorities qualified to decide points of law.


c) Marshal Foch had delivered an Ultimatum to the German Representatives. Since they have shown great reluctance to signing a Renewal of the Armistice, he will depart Treves and the Armistice will expire at 0500 on the 17th. At this point the Germans agreed to sign the renewed Armistice.


After the new Armistice was signed, Her Erzeberger handed Marshal Foch a declaration prepared by Herr Scheideman with the following objections:


I) The agreement ignores the fact that the German Government has been constituted by the popular will, in an orderly manner. The agreement imposes harsh restrictions on the Germans while ignoring Polish attacks on the German population, and taking what they want for their own.


II) Germany can prove that she has done everything possible to carry out the terms of the original Armistice.


III) Rather than a lasting Armistice with equitable terms Germany has been forced into a short Armistice that can be terminated on only three days' notice.


Marshal Foch proposes a telegram to the Germans stating that a cease-fire must be maintained by the Poles as well as the Germans. The Germans have asked for protection for the 400,000 Germans living in Polish territory. Marshal Foch says he cannot deal with this from a distance and requests that these questions be dealt with by the Inter-Allied Commission at Warsaw. It is agreed that such a telegram will be sent by Marshal Foch.


2. British Vice-Admiral Browning reports that the Germans want to bring an end to the submarine question. 45 submarines are still to be handed over, but it is reported that two of these have sunk at the mouth of the Elbe River. The Allies demand that these be replaced with engines and electrical plants. The Germans are also handing over submarine docks and lifting equipment.


3. Admiral Browning has also reported that the Germans are using naval wireless equipment to spread propaganda, and warned them that this must cease.


4. Admiral Browning has also pointed out that the Germans are reluctant to surrender merchant shipping until some minor financial problems have been straightened out. He says this does not sound like a country desperately in need of food.


5. Mr Balfour brings up the many requests from German Admiral Goette that merchant shipping restrictions be relaxed to allow German troops to be repatriated. He suggests that this be referred to the Military and Naval Committees. M Clemenceau asks whether this might no be better off in the hands of the Blockade Committee. Col House says these questions are more military than financial. It is finally decided to ask all Committees to submit reports.


6. M Clemenceau says that he has received a telegram from Mr Pachitch that the Serbian government intends to submit their case against Italy to President Wilson for arbitration. M Clemenceau makes it clear that this is not a request for discussion from the Council, but merely to inform them of the fact. Baron Sonnino says that Italy cannot give itself to arbitration on matters which they thought was part of the reason they fought the war.


7. A discussion is held on the Russian situation, with the verdict being that once again the matter will be postponed



8. M Clemenceau announces that the Serbian question will be discussed the following day. Baron Sonnino says that this is a delicate question, and that the Serbs should be heard with the Italians absent, or that if held in front of the Italians that no discussion should ensue. M Clemenceau says that there is precedent for this, and that the Serbs will be heard.


He then pronounces the meeting closed.