File No. 341.622a/126
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Great Britain ( Page )
3320. Your 4289, May 12, China, case. Please acknowledge Sir Edward Grey’s memorandum, stating the appreciation of this Government at the amicable settlement of the China case which has been arrived at by the two Governments. Add that this Government desires to be informed as to when the persons will be released, and as to what arrangements are being made for their transportation to their destination.
In presenting this reply, communicate orally to Sir Edward Grey on the point of activity of enemy agents in neutral countries, that it will be recalled that during the Civil War Canada was the resort for persons who, acting in the interests of the Confederate States, raided certain border towns in the United States, but that claims for injuries and losses suffered were unanimously disallowed by the Mixed Claims Commission under the treaty of 1871.
I wish to mention that the presentation of a case by means of an aide mémoire is not regarded here as a formal representation, and that a memorandum, though a proper form of reply to an aide mémoire, is more or less informal.