Paris Peace Conf. 840.48/2a
Colonel E. M. House to the French Minister for Foreign Affairs ( Pichon )
My Dear Monsieur Pichon: I am in receipt of your letter of December 23rd, in reply to my letter of December 1st, relative to the European Relief Administration, and am glad to note that the French Government accepts in principle the plan proposed by me on behalf of the President.
The President is gratified that you desire that the United States Government should take the lead in this undertaking.
The President asks me to state that he accepts your suggestion that a special Council of two members, representing each of the four Governments be substituted for the Supreme War Council.
In view of the urgent action required in some territories, the President suggests that it is most desirable that each of the Allied Governments designate its representatives at the earliest possible moment and that at the first meeting of the Council it would be desirable that the representatives of each Government be prepared to state what participation and resources they will be able and willing to contribute to the common object.
He has therefore appointed Mr. Herbert Hoover and Mr. Norman H. Davis as the American members on this Council, and has asked Mr. Hoover, as Director General of Relief, as soon as possible to call a meeting of the Council.
[Page 690]With regard to the other consideration raised by you, it appears to him that these are matters which will necessarily come before the Council for consideration from time to time and that while some [none] of the Governments are releasing any freedom of action, all recognise that in setting up organisations of this kind there is a common desire to coordinate the activities of the different Governments in the directions outlined by yourselves.
I am [etc.]