Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, The Paris Peace Conference, 1919, Volume I

Paris Peace Conf. 184.83/1

Memorandum Regarding the Section of Territorial, Economic and Political Intelligence of the Commission to Negotiate Peace⁴⁰

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The Intelligence Section of the American Commission to Negotiate Peace, dealing with the territorial, economic, and political matters which come before the peace conference, represents a new idea in international relations—the idea of utilizing the expert services of scholars in determining the facts that should be the bases of the peace settlements. The Intelligence Section is an outgrowth of the Inquiry, a groups of men engaged during more than a year past in gathering material for the peace conference under the direction of Colonel House. Similar organizations have been at work in France and England.

In all three countries, so far as is known, the choice of men was made irrespective of political standing, and solely with the view of securing the best scholars in their respective fields. The idea was also entertained that the meeting of these expert bodies at the peace conference would greatly diminish the cares and responsibilities of the plenipotentiaries, whose time would necessarily be filled with the active and current business of negotiation.

Actual experience at the peace conference has shown the soundness of these anticipations, since in almost every case the discussion of a question has involved the appointment of special committees who are to hear the facts and report to the Bureau. It is surprising to what an extent the impartial discussion of disputed points has led to unanimity of opinion, even on the part of nations directly interested in a given solution. The whole process marks a new stage in the development of better international relations, since it carries over into the field of international relations the good will which has always existed in the world between scholars expert in the same subject. It may be doubted whether at any time in the future complicated problems of world politics will be discussed without reference to expert bodies like those now working out the intricacies of European politics, ethnography, resources, waterways, ports, railroads, canals, topography, etc.

The experiment has been attended by some very interesting results. In the case of the American experts an appeal was made to the colleges and universities and private and public institutions of various kinds in the United States for the loan of men and material, and to all such requests the most hearty response was obtained. It became a kind of joint educational enterprise which elicited the enthusiasm and devotion of a large group of strong men at a time of need when everyone was seeking to be of the largest service to the national government.

The work of the American experts was carried on at the building of the American Geographical Society, Broadway and 156th Street, New York City, where there was made available the largest collection of carefully selected maps in the United States and the best geographical library as well, including the services of a trained staff. The building was well guarded so that during the entire time of its existence the Inquiry lost none of its material, and was able to work quietly and effectively against the day when it would be called upon for service at the peace conference.

The interest of the Administration in the work is shown by the fact that Colonel House held a number of important consultations there, and likewise the Secretary of State. President Wilson himself visited the Inquiry on October 12, 1918, meeting some of the principal men engaged upon its work and examining in some detail the material that they had gathered.

The Director of the Inquiry is Dr. S. E. Mezes, who has traveled widely in Europe and Northern Africa, and has from the first directed the activities of the staff and is now Director of the Intelligence Section of the American Commission.

The Chief Territorial Specialist and Executive Officer of the Section is Dr. Isaiah Bowman, Director of the American Geographical Society, who has conducted three scientific expeditions to South America and has written extensively on South American problems. For his work in this field he was awarded the Bonaparte-Wyse gold medal of the Société Géographique de Paris about two years ago.

40. The memorandum bears no indication of date or origin.