862.85/1189
The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Geddes)
Excellency: I have the honor to refer to your note of July 15, 1920, which has had our careful consideration. You mention therein [Page 649] the previous correspondence respecting the delay in delivering certain ex-German vessels to representatives of the British Government and the claim, which you describe as “provisional”, against the Government of the United States, “in respect of (a) cost of crews’ wages and subsistence expenses in America, and (b) cost of and time required for reconditioning these vessels.”
I note that the provisional claim will “be replaced by a fully certified estimate so soon as all accounts are received.”
While this Government is not aware of its liability for the losses to which you refer, it regrets that such losses have occurred, and will be pleased to receive at your convenience a statement of the principle upon which you predicate the liability of this Government in order that appropriate consideration may be given the claim without delay.
In this connection I may add that it would seem most logical and appropriate that concurrently with the examination of the above claim to be presented by your Government, a procedure should be adopted for the examination and settlement of claims of this Government against the British Government, arising from numerous detentions of vessels and interrupted voyages which have been the subject of correspondence between the British Government and the Government of the United States.59 During the period of the neutrality and subsequent belligerency of this Government, it did not seem appropriate to press for an adjustment of claims for losses resulting from such detentions, and I should be pleased to know if His Majesty’s Government now desires to initiate suitable proceedings for the mutual adjustment and satisfaction of all such claims.60
Accept [etc.]