861.00/5334: Telegram
The Commission to Negotiate Peace to the Secretary of State
[Received October 5, 3:50 a.m.]
4522. Department’s 3198,11 322812 and 3250.13 Supreme Council at its meeting October 1st decided that a Commission composed of one American, British, French, Italian and Japanese officer should be created to deal with the repatriation of German, Austrian and Hungarian prisoners in Siberia. Supreme Council also decided that the repatriation of the Czecho-Slovakian, Polish, Yugo-Slavian and Roumanian troops in Siberia should be effected before that of the German, Austrian and Hungarian prisoners. Prior repatriation, Allied forces of course naturally essential for sentimental and political reasons. Japanese representative Supreme Council requested to ask his Government to delay providing Japanese ships for German repatriation until after repatriation friendly troops had been effected. This meets with Department’s desires as expressed in last sentence of its cable 3250.13 Colonel Logan14 designated as American member Paris Allied Commission established by Supreme Council. First meeting this commission will be held in Paris within a few days and plan outlined by Treasury Department (in?) Department’s 323815 will guide Logan in his presentation. We understand Treasury Department’s proposal will also cover Polish, Yugo-Slavian and Roumanian contingents and that proper charges to these latter Governments on this account will be raised by Treasury Department. Is this correct? In entire accord with proposal contained in Department’s 319811 to ask War Department to detail Brigadier General Frank L. Hines, Chief of War Department transportation service, with such assistance as he may require to handle [Page 302] movement. In view of principle enunciated by Treasury Department as communicated in Department’s cable 3238,16 for time being at least, Hines’ supervision of this movement should only contemplate journey from port debarkation American Pacific ports to port embarkation American Atlantic ports. On account of Hines’ well-known ability would prefer his handling movement clear through but until final determination financial arrangements as between other Allied Powers suggest that his activities be restricted within the limits of movement indicated. Presume that ocean Atlantic ports [ocean tonnage] will be only limiting factor in movement this relatively small number of troops across United States and that so far as the United States is concerned movement can commence [at once]. Is this correct? Request you ascertain from Hines names of ports of debarkation and embarkation through which this movement will be handled so that this information may be communicated to British through their representatives here; also approximate time required from Pacific this [to] Atlantic ports. Will advise Department promptly results negotiations carried on under its 3238.16