Conversation between Mr. Adatci and Mr. Claveille

CONVERSATION BETWEEN MR. ADATCI AND MR. CLAVEILLE

Ovctober 3rd. 1919.

Claveille thinks it impossible to arrange the preliminary meeting for October because of the French Elections which are now occupying the center of the stage and with which the Government is greatly concerned. The new Government will not meet until the end of November. He said further that the invitation to the Dutch had been issued only on October 2nd and that there would be considerable delay before the Dutch replied. This latter statement I believe to be incorrect and both General Mance and Mr. Garnier-Coignet agree with me. The invitation to the Dutch Government was issued on August 31st, according to the information which we received from the Secretary-General of the Peace Conference. Claveille has evidently confused this with a Resolution of the Supreme Council concerning the Mannheim Convention. Claveille also wishes to delay the meetings 'till after the Labor Conference has met at Washington. He says also that the Italian situation is extremely critical and at present neither Crespi nor DeMartino are in Paris. None of the netural states have as yet replied to the invitation of the French Republic. For all these reasons Claveille thinks it impossible to arrange any meeting, even a preliminary gathering, before December 1st, 1919.