100 Years Ago Today

[Jimbuna]

1st April 1919

American occupation troops in Germany visiting Cochem and its castle (large parts of Cochem’s old town is destroyed in WWII)


Germans march in Berlin to protest talks of separating Danzig from Germany and giving Posen to Poland.


Éamon de Valera is elected President of Dáil Éireann, the leader of the revolutionary Irish Republic. Ireland is currently fighting for independence from Britain.


Japanese men protest in front of the Diet (Parliament) of Japan to obtain universal male suffrage (all men above the age of 25 receive the vote in 1925, women in 1945)


French submarine Fulton launched.


A Sergeant of the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry in his full kit. Cologne, 1 April 1919.

[Sailor Steve]

Tuesday, April 1, 1919

PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE

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

The Council of Foreign Ministers meets. All nations are represented by Secondaries - none of the Primary Leaders are present, with the exception of Baron Sonnino for Italy and Baron Makino for Japan.


1. M Pichon says that he was to discuss arrangements for meeting the German delegations, but that is now deferred as M Clemenceau wishes to discuss this question with the Council of Four.


2. Proposed Plenary Conference to Consider Report of the Commission on Labour. Mr Lansing says he believes the Heads of Government should decide whether a Plenary Meeting is to be held.

Mr Barnes says the purpose is not to discuss the report, but to discuss which body should hear the report. He believes the report should be heard by the body that set up the Commission in the first place, and that body is the Peace Conference.

Mr Balfour asks whether Mr Barnes proposes a debate in the Plenary Session over controversial subjects. Mr Barnes replies that the procedure should be similar to that adopted when discussing the League of Nations. M Pichon says that he feels the matters involved should be discussed not in Plenary Sessions, but by the Commission itself.

Baron Makino says that due to the labor problems currently ongoing in Japan, the Japanese Delegates would wish to be able to bring up matters relative to their nation as the meetings progressed, and not be required to wait until a later time to discuss these questions. Mr Barnes says that this request strengthens the argument that the discussions on Labor take place in Plenary Sessions. The Commission on Labour, if asked, would reply that they could do nothing to make changes after the draft was composed without getting permission from the Peace Conference to reassemble. Therefore discussions of Labour questions should take place before the draft proposals were submitted, and that would mean discussing them in Plenary Sessions.

Baron Makino says that this might set a dangerous precedent. Mr Barnes had said that the Labour Commission could not examine amendments after the report had been submitted, but it was a bad idea for the discussions to take place in the Conference itself, as this would cause unnecessary delays. His feeling is that when a Delegation proposed amendments the Commission should examine them and submit supplementary reports.

Mr Lansing agrees with Baron Makino in the desire to avoid setting a precedent allowing procedures that serve to waste large amounts of time for nothing. He also points out that the previous day's The Times had published the last report in its entirety, again showing the need for greater security in these meetings.

Mr Barnes says that the Commission has no amendments or reservations to deal with. Mr Lansing says that this may be so, but any subsequent amendments should be appended to the report.

The discussion then turns to the question of publicity, with Baron Makino saying that some publicity is desirable, but how much and of what type.

(It is finally agreed that the Commission should be allowed to publish the report itself, and in the case of Labour to make sure that workers everywhere receive the news, released to all newspapers at the same time.)

(At this time Mr Barnes and his colleagues withdraw from the meeting, saying their specific charge from the Commission on Labour was to ask for Plenary Session meetings.)


3. A report from the Commission on Czechoslovakia is heard. Mr Lansing suggests that at this time the discussion be limited to the question of Czechoslovakia's border with Germany. Other borders can be considered at a later time. Baron Sonnino agrees. M Cambon brings up the problems of borders based upon the location of ethnic and national populations. Mr Balfour says that the Czech-German border cannot be established until the German-Polish border has been set.

M Cambon discusses the location of part of the border near Glatz, and proposes a modification to the current border there. Mr Balfour asks if this modification will involve moving the German poplulation there to Bohemia. M Cambon replies that the population so moved would be small.

Mr Lansing objects to the whole idea of setting borders based on strategic principles. M Cambon replies that the purpose is not strategic interests but national defense. Mr Lansing asks whether there is any difference. M Cambon says he had himself heard President Wilson say that new States should be set up under conditions that will enable them to survive. It is for this reason that the question has arisen of changing the border around Glatz. Mr Lansing says that he does not wish to discuss Glatz, but to point out that setting frontier lines with a view to their military strength and in contemplation of war was directly contrary to the whole spirit of the League of Nations. M Cambon says that he is not there to discuss general principles, but to settle the border around Glatz.

M Cambon the makes a speech about how and where borders are set when there are no natural borders. Mr Lansing points out that the Commission wants to set one sector on the Czech side of the border. This sector contains 90,000 Germans and no Czechs.

(After some more discussion it is decided to defer this question until the Czechoslovakian Commission and the Polish Commission can be brought to an agreement.)

[Jimbuna]

2nd April 1919

Aftermath of War

Britain: Admirals Jellicoe and Beatty promoted Admirals of the Fleet.

General Smuts' Mission to Budapest a failure (2-6 April).

Ernest Hemingway, age 19, recuperating after his severe injury sustained on the Italian front last July.


First Lieutenant George W. Puryear in Seattle. Puryear was a member of the Victory Loan Flying Circus that toured the Western states in April and May 1919. The flying circus performed a daily air show with several types of airplanes. Puryear normally flew a German Fokker D.VII.

[Sailor Steve]

Wednesday, April 2, 1919

PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE

The Peace Conference holds no meetings today.

[Jimbuna]

3rd April 1919

UK Government agrees to begin release of imprisoned conscientious objectors.

French Marshal Ferdinand Foch in Spa, Belgium to meet with Matthias Erzberger, the German politician responsible for matters relating to the armistice (Erzberger is assassinated in 1921 for signing the armistice)


King Albert of Belgium in a plane as he prepares to make a flight from Brussels to Paris in 2 hours.


American soldiers distribute clothing and shoes to a village in France.

[Sailor Steve]

Thursday, April 3, 1919

PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE

The Peace Conference holds no meetings today.

[Jimbuna]

4th April 1919

Aftermath of War

British nervousness re: positions in Archangel and Murman regions.

Soviet Republic in Bavaria.

African American soldier reads a book while resting on a truck at Saint-Nazaire, France.


American troops in Brest, France receive assignments on which ship will take them home to the U.S.

[Sailor Steve]

Friday, April 4, 1919

PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE

For the third day in a row the Peace Conference does not meet.

[Jimbuna]

5th April 1919

Aftermath of War

General Smuts' Mission to Budapest a failure (2-6 April).

Bolsheviks again attack Archangel front and are repulsed.

Germany sends artillery guns made 50 years ago to the Allies at Colonge under the Armistice agreement. The guns are not accepted and are sent back to be replaced by modern artillery.


British troops participating in the intervention against the Bolsheviks march in front of General Headquarters in Murmansk, Russia.


An airplane conducts an emergency landing and collides with a locomotive near Toronto, Canada.


Private of the Rifle Brigade with his full kit. Cologne, 5 April 1919.


Sailors passing in review, celebrating first anniversary of America's entry into the war. St. Nazaire, France.

[Sailor Steve]

Saturday, April 5, 1919

PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE

President Wilson’s House in Place des Etats-Unis, Paris, 11:00.

Meeting between the four main leaders. President Wilson is absent, so Colonel House is sitting in, Mr Lloyd George, M Clemenceau and S Orlando.


1. Plenary Meeting for Report of Labour Commission is scheduled for Friday, 11th April, 1919, at 15:00.


2. Several financial experts are heard on the subject of Reparations. The discussion centers around a memorandum which has been agreed to by the British and American Representatives, but not the French. The French believe that if Germany cannot pay off her Reparations debt in 30 years, the time should be extended to 40 years. The British and Americans agree that Germany should pay what she can in 30 years, and after that a discussion can be had on what to do next.

Mr Lloyd George argues that the amount Germany can be expected to pay cannot be established until her economy is settled, and that will take at the very least until 1921. Colonel House asks what is the point of having a Commission at all? Mr Lloyd George replies that determining how much Germany can afford to pay is not an easy question. Germany no longer has possession of Alsace, Lorraine or Silesia, which reduces her income greatly. Colonel House recommends that the clause be re-written, leaving out any reference to a time limit.

(It is agreed that Colonel House will write the new draft, which will then be considered by the Peace Conference)


16:00

The Meeting is Reconvened.


1. Discussion of the subject of Reparations is continued. When the question of Reparations for Belgium arises, Mr Lloyd George points out that Britain and France paid "every penny" of Belgium's war costs, right down to ministerial salaries.

There is a large disagreement over different drafts prepared by the British, French and American Delegations. M Loucheur explains that "What Germany owes, she owes", and that the Commission is not allowed to change the amount involved, only the date by which it must be paid.

A short "official" recess is taken, during which the Members give their views informally. After the reconvening an argument arises over whether Germany's Reparations should include the cost of the occupying Allied army.

(After much more discussion it is agreed that M Loucheur should prepare a text which should be considered by the experts before the next meeting on Monday, which was arranged to take place at President Wilson’s house in the Place des Etats-Unis at 11:00)

[Jimbuna]

6th April 1919

Field marshal Haig, Commander of the British Expeditionary Force, being welcomed on his return by officials of Dover.


Forty delegates from the Philippines, a U.S. colony, arrive in Washington, D.C. to request self-government for the islands.


Mahatma Gandhi calls for and successfully organizes a hartal (mass strike and protest) against the British Rowlatt Act, which allows the indefinite detention and incarceration without trial of Indians.


Ship Losses:

Vulkan (United Kingdom) The salvage tug sank in the North Sea off Denmark (54°54′N 6°18′E) whilst under tow.

[Sailor Steve]

Sunday, April 6, 1919

PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE

It's a Sunday and the Peace Conference takes the day off.

[Jimbuna]

7th April 1919

Aftermath of War

British Grand Fleet goes out of being.

Zaghlul Pasha, etc., released; more troubles in Egypt.

Troopship Agamemnon, formerly the German liner Kaiser Wilhelm II (the ship was seized by the U.S. in 1917 when it declared war on Germany), carrying American troops back to Boston, Massachusetts.


Russian Red Army captures the city of Odessa after French and Greek intervention forces evacuate the city.


Communists and anarchists establish the Bavarian Soviet Republic, with Ernst Toller as President (Toller only serves for 6 days)

[Sailor Steve]

Monday, April 7, 1919

PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE

Prime Minister’s Flat, 23 Rue Nitot, 15:00.

Meeting of the Supreme Council. Colonel House sitting in for President Wilson.


1. It is agreed that the Council of Foreign Ministers should be requested to examine the following questions:

1) Preparation of an Article in the Treaty of Peace terminating the state of War.

2) Preparation of Articles in the Treaty of Peace in regard to the restriction of opium traffic.

3) The question of arms traffic.

4) A minor amendment of the military terms proposed by the British Delegation.

5) The question of Morocco as soon as reported on by the Moroccan Commission.

6) The preparation of Articles in the Treaty of Peace in regard to the recognition of the British Protectorate of Egypt and the renunciation of territorial privileges and the recognition of the transfer to His Majesty’s Government of the Sultan’s rights under the Suez Canal Convention.2

7) Preparation of Articles in the Treaty of Peace with Germany by which Germany undertakes to be bound down by the terms of the Treaty of Peace with Turkey, Austria-Hungary and Bulgaria.

8) Preparation of Articles in the Treaty of Peace whereby Germany binds herself to recognize a new regime replacing the Treaty of 1839 as to Belgium.

9) Preparation of Articles in the Treaty of Peace providing for the acceptance by the enemy of all Allied prize court decisions and orders.

10) Preparation of Articles in the Treaty of Peace providing for the recognition in advance by Germany of any arrangements made by the Allied and Associated Governments with reference to previous Russian territory, including special arrangements with new States.

11) Waiver of German claims in the Antarctic region.


2. Mr Lloyd George distributed a paraphrase of a telegram from General Smuts to Mr Balfour.

(It was agreed that Mr Lloyd George should inform General Smuts that his telegram has been considered by the Supreme Council, and that it has been agreed that he should visit the French and Romanian Headquarters, and ascertain the whole situation in all aspects before returning.


3. Mr Lloyd George communicates the gist of a message he has received from the British Military Agents at Berlin who reported a great increase in Spartacism.

M Clemenceau said that his information corresponded to this.


4. Marshal Foch makes a short statement of the results of his negotiations at Spa in regard to the transport of General Haller’s Army to Poland. He hands round the three following documents:

1) A Report on the negotiations of April 3rd and 4th at Spa.

2) An Appendix to the above.

3) A protocol with Annexes.

Mr. Lloyd George congratulates Marshal Foch on the remarkable skill and ability he had shown in the conduct of these negotiations. Colonel House strongly supported this expression of opinion, which was generally agreed to.


5. General Weygand asks that the Governments which had troops in the area of occupation on the Western bank of the Rhine should provide the Allied Officers to accompany trains carrying General Haller’s troops across Germany. General Wilson says that the number of British Officers required is 83. There should be no difficulty in supplying these. Colonel House says he must consult the American Military Authorities.

(Subject to Colonel House’s reservation, General Weygand’s proposal is agreed to.)


6. General Weygand says that the whole plan of transportation will require eight days to get into working order. It would therefore commence on the 15th, and would continue until June 15th. He asked if the Polish Government had been officially informed. M. Clemenceau says he had seen M. Paderewski today, and he had knowledge of the position.

(It is agreed that Marshal Foch should pay an official visit to M. Paderewski, and give him an official notification on behalf of the Allied and Associated Powers.)


7. General Weygand says that the American, British, and French Generals are in agreement that the German Government ought to be allowed to send back Russian prisoners to Russia, provided that they are not sent against their will. M. Clemenceau says that he has 120,000 Russian prisoners in France.

(It is agreed that the German Government should be permitted to return Russian prisoners, provided it is not against their will.)

Marshal Foch, General Weygand, and General Wilson withdraw, and financial experts are introduced.


16:00

1. The Supreme Council discusses the latest draft of the Clauses on Reparations. This mostly involves adjusting the wording of the different items. Assisting them are several financial experts. The adjustment of the Clauses (and omission of some) takes up the rest of the evening.

[Jimbuna]

8th April 1919

Aftermath of War

Odessa evacuated by Allies (announced).

Bolsheviks enter the Crimea.

Frank Winfield Woolworth, founder of the five-and-dime store Woolworth’s (one of the largest retail chains for much of the 20th century), has passed away.


German civilians, under the watch of British occupation forces, remove the fuses of German shells as per the disarmament terms of the Armistice.


Members of the British Army Service Corps pose next to a German brewery they were billeted near Cologne, Germany.


French Renault FT-17 being sent to the U.S. to promote the 1919 Victory Loan campaign.