File No. 493.00.]
The American Minister to the Secretary of State.
Peking, April 11, 1912.
Sir: I have the honor to report that at a meeting of the diplomatic representatives held on April 9, 1912, the French Minister referred to the fact that the legations are receiving from their nationals many claims against the Chinese Government for indemnification for losses sustained by them during the recent revolution. In order to avoid diverse or conflicting action on the part of the several legations in the presentation and adjustment of claims M. de Margerie suggested that some common procedure should be adopted and followed in regard to them. After some discussion it was agreed to appoint a commission, of which the American Minister was requested to act as chairman, the remaining members to be selected from the secretaries of legation, which commission should examine the claims sent in and formulate certain general principles in accordance with which the legations concerned should take action.
It is not intended that this commission shall pass upon claims nor that it shall determine the amount to be asked. After the principles [Page 173] formulated for the guidance of the legations shall have been accepted by the diplomatic body each legation will proceed to dispose of the claims of its own nationals in accordance with the principles agreed upon.
In explanation of this action I have the honor to recall to the attention of the Department the fact that in past instances of the presentation of claims against the Chinese Government for losses sustained on account of riots some firms have included in their claim indemnities to Chinese employees. Some have included in the firm’s claims those for losses of personal property sustained by members of the firm, while others have separated personal claims from those of the company. In many cases there has been difficulty in determining the amount of compensation for bodily injuries or loss of life, some legations demanding much greater compensation than others.
It is very desirable that there be uniformity of action by the several legations with respect to these and similar questions that may arise in considering the claims presented, and this result can perhaps be secured through the recommendations of such a commission as has been agreed upon.
I have [etc.]