File No 417.00/253

The Secretary of State to the Minister in Nicaragua ( Jefferson )

No. 215

Sir: The Department has received a letter dated April 2, 1918, from Mr. Lindberg, regarding the work of the Public Credit Commission of Nicaragua, in which he states that the commission relies upon the support of the Nicaraguan Government in scaling claims of natives, and upon the support of the Department of State in scaling claims of Americans and foreigners.

As indicated by the Department’s telegram to the Legation of April 3, 4 p.m., the Department reserves for later consideration cases of claims rejected by the commission, and of awards rejected by claimants, as well as any other matters arising out of the fact that the Mixed Claims Commission and the Public Credit Commission are regarded as purely local tribunals of Nicaragua. No assurance can therefore be given as to what the attitude of the Department will be toward claimants who are dissatisfied with the action of the Public Credit Commission.

You may request the Nicaraguan Government to inform Mr. Lindberg of the above.

I am [etc.]

For the Secretary of State:
Alvey A. Adee