[Sailor Steve]

Saturday, February 8, 1919


PARIS PEACE CONFERENCE
Day 19

2nd meeting of the 13th Session of the Supreme War Council

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


M. Clemenceau opens the meeting with two subjects for quick discussion:

1. The German National Assembly at Weimar has requested an increase in Postal and Telegraph facilities. Marshal Foch has drafted a tentative reply saying that as a state of War still officially exists the Allies cannot allow the Germans free and unrestricted access to correspondence.

President Wilson says that he does not wish to grant the Germans any freedom it is not safe to give them, but it is desirable that Germany have some form of authority with which the Allies can deal. It is not good that currently telegrams are taking up to seven days to be delivered, and letters up to three weeks. Mr Balfour says that Marshal Foch's answer is probably the right one. M Clemenceau says the alleged delays are probably exaggerated. It is decided to ask Marshal Foch to expedite delivery of letters and telegrams as much as possible.

2. M Clemenceau reads the correspondence between Marshal Foch and Herr Erzberger on the subject of Repatriation of German Prisoners Of War. President Wilson asks whether Marshal Foch is in favor of repatriation of German prisoners. Marshal Foch replies that it is his impression that the German demand only covers certain categories, such as the wounded, unfit, and fathers of large families. He states that he is in favor of immediate repatriation of prisoners in those categories. M Clemenceau says he is under the impression that Herr Erzberger's request included all prisoners, and asks whether Marshal Foch supports all of the German demand, or only part of it. Marshal Foch replies that in his own letter he only specified certain categories, and that it would be up to the Allies to determine which categories would take preference. M Clemenceau says it will be impossible for the Allied Governments to give an answer without first consulting the appropriate ministers for each category. He suggests that Marshal Foch send a message to Herr Erzberger that the Governments will give him an answer as soon as possible.

Baron Sonnino suggests that the Powers might immediately give up the prisoners who have no value - the sick, the old, and the civilians. Marshal Foch replies that all he has done is to deliver a request. At this point Marshal Foch and General Weygand withdraw from the chamber.

Mr Balfour says he agrees that the Authorities should be fully consulted before giving up any prisoners. It is decided that no reply should be given to Herr Erzberger until a full consultation with the British and French Ministers governing Prisoners of War has been made.

3. André Tardieu, M Clemenceau's assistant and leader of the Council on Franco-American War Co-Operation, reads the report written by the Committee on the Reduction of German Armaments. The Committee does not wish to specify the number of Divisions the Germans will be allowed to keep, as they feel this to be the province of the Peace Council.
Article 1) The Germans should be required to furnish a list of all machine guns, field guns, heavy guns, aeroplane motors and seaplanes needed to supply the Divisions the Council decides the Germans may keep.
Article 2) All surplus will be yielded to the Allies.
Article 3) Since the numbering of all this equipment might take a long time, a specified quantity of all classes will be handed over immediately.

President Wilson says that Article 3 is the only one which lays out a determinate proposal. Article 2 is indeterminate, and allows the Germans themselves to calculate the numbers needed for the Divisions they will be allowed to maintain. Mr Wilson believes the Powers need to make a very specific plan to show the Germans exactly what is planned.

Lord Milner says that while he does not disagree with the President, he believes Mr Wilson's proposal to be outside the scope of the Committee's reference. The Committee was appointed to simplify the demands made on Germany, and he thinks that goal has been accomplished. M Tardieu agrees in thinking the Articles are very specific.

President Wilson quotes a report delivered to the Council yesterday, stating that the Germans have enough arms to equip 30 Divisions. Over and above that they have:
Heavy Guns - 1,500
Field Guns - 6,425
Machine Guns - 41,675

Article 2 of the Committee's report demands the immediate handing over of:
Heavy Guns - 1,000
Field Guns - 4,000
Machine Guns - 20,000

This will leave the Germans an excess of:
Heavy Guns - 500
Field Guns - 2,425
Machine Guns - 21,675

over and above what is required for them to outfit the divisions the Allies are permitting them to keep. This will leave them enough armaments to equip 60 divisions rather than 30.

M. Loucheur points out that these numbers only include what is currently held by the German army. Counting the munitions currently being completed in the factories will double that number. President Wilson says that this quadruples the amount demanded at the Armistice, only three months previous. This leaves the Allies appearing to the World to be mean and petty, and incredibly ignorant of what they are doing. He himself feels the Germans should be allowed to keep everything they now have, because the Germans are beaten, and they know it. Their spirit is broken, and they will not renew the struggle.

M Loucheur cites the potential production by the Germans of 15 new heavy guns, 50 field guns and 200 heavy machine guns, not counting light machine guns, every day. M Clemenceau says the figures are all hypothetical, then and now. He believes the Committee's report is reasonable and secures the safety of the Allies. Lord Milner says that previously they have changed the demanded numbers constantly, and that this report finalizes those numbers. After this the numbers cannot be changed. President Wilson says that definite numbers should be obtained before changing the demands made of the Germans. M Clemenceau says that the refusal of the Germans to cease hostilities with the Poles makes a good pretext for the demands, and President Wilson agrees.

M Clemenceau asks President Wilson to draft a new document combining his own views and the suggestions made concerning Poland. The President agrees.

4. Admiral Wemyss, current British First Sea Lord, states that the Naval questions are easier than the Military ones. The Admirals know exactly what the conditions are, exactly what they want, and what they can get. This must, however, be done quickly, as the German officers were exercising more control every day over the ships and men still under their command. This can be controlled by simply telling the Germans that the lists of ships to be handed over is not provisional, but final. The other Admirals present give their support to Admiral Wemyss.

5. President Wilson reads the draft of a recommendation for the creation of a Supreme Council on Economics.

The Meeting is adjourned until Monday.