Paris Peace Conference 861 K.00/15
The Minister in Switzerland (Stovall) to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received in Paris February 8.]
Sirs: With reference to my Despatch No. 108 of January 21st,43 I have the honor to report that Mr. Haidar Bammate44 called again at the Legation and informed me that he was still waiting with anxiety the reply of the President as to whether his country was [Page 44] included among those parts of Russia invited to attend the meeting at Prince’s Island. He explained that his Government was thoroughly willing and happy to accept this invitation and that he and other representatives of his Government would immediately proceed to Prince’s Island, provided he were assured that it really was the President’s desire that they should be included in the invitation. He throws himself, in the name of his Government, entirely in the hands of the President and declares that they are willing to converse with Bolsheviks, Ukrainians, or any other Government in Russia, if it is the President’s desire.
After making this statement he informed me conversationally that his country hoped to be placed under the protection of the Society of Nations as an independent country and that their earnest wish was that the United States should be appointed by the Society of Nations as the mandatory power.
I am [etc.]