3. MINUTES OF THE FORTIETH MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON NEW STATES

3. MINUTES OF THE FORTIETH MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON NEW STATES

August 1st, 1919

...The Jugo-Slav Treaty. (l500) - The question of Macedonia was again discussed. The British representatives submitted a proposal giving to the League of Nations the right to maintain representatives in Macedonia. The Italian representatives submitted a proposal for conferring on Macedonia certain rights of local autonomy, which was a modification of the draft they had submitted at a previous meeting. A lengthy discussion took place. M. de Celigny (1501) stated that he must reserve any opinion as to the British proposal; he was not inclined to accept even the modified form of autonomy now suggested. The Italian representative maintained that the British proposal was not sufficient to meet the situation. It was finally agreed that the decision should be reserved for the next meeting, when the two proposals, with such modifications as might appear desirable, would be brought before the Committee. If, as was to be expected, there was a difference of opinion as to which was preferable, then the two proposals would have to be sent up to the Council of Five for their decision. The Chairman explained that it seemed to him most desirable that in this way both proposals should receive equal consideration. The Chairman undertook, if possible, to present at the next meeting draft reports for the Council of Five to accompany the Treaties with Greece and Jugo-Slavia.

D. H. Miller, My Diary, pp. 345-346; Recueil 229-230.

(1500) The preceding text relates to the discussion on the Greek Treaty and the privileges of Mount Athos.

(1501) De Celigny, member of the French Delegation at the Committee on New States.

4. MINUTES OF THE FORTY - FIRST MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE ON NEW STATES

August 4th, 1919

...The alternative proposals for dealing with Macedonia put forward by the British and Italian Delegations were first considered. (1502) It was agreed that it would be necessary to print these two alternatives in the text of the Treaty; that Delegation which was responsible for each of these two alternatives would have the right of inserting in the report to the Supreme Council the reasons for which they were put forward. The American and Japanese Delegations intimated their adherence to the British proposal. The French Delegation stated that they were unable to accept either, and considered that the general clauses were sufficient. Certain modifications in the British proposal were then agreed to (Annex (A)) by the British, American and Japanese Representatives; in the Italian proposal a slight alteration was made (Annex (B)) It was determined that they should forthwith be printed in the final form which had been adopted. A redraft of the Preamble was then proposed by the British Delegation; certain modifications were made and it was then accepted. (1503)

Annex (A) to forty-first meeting

Article 12

(Proposed by the British, American and Japanese Delegations) In view of the peculiar conditions which have arisen in the former Ottoman provinces of Serbia, as a result of the wars of the last six years, and in order to inspire confidence in the populations concerned, the Serb-Croat-Slovene Government undertakes to invite the Council of the League of Nations at its discretion to nominate a Commissioner who shall reside in the district and who shall advise the Serb-Croat-Slovene Government in its execution of the foregoing clauses. The functions of this Commissioner shall be advisory only, and he shall furnish periodical reports to the Council of the League of Nations. The Commissioner and his staff shall be accorded diplomatic privileges, and the Serb-Croat-Slovene Government undertake to give him all necessary assistance in the performance of his duties. His appointment shall in the first place be for five years, but will be renewable at the expiration of this period by a decision of a majority of the Council of the League.

Annex (B) to forty-five meeting

Article 12

(Proposed by the Italian Delegation)