441.11 W 892/99

The Secretary of State to the British Ambassador (Howard)

My Dear Mr. Ambassador: I am sorry that I have not been able to reply earlier to your note of yesterday regarding the claims matter. I have received from Mr. Houghton9 a telegram conveying very much the same intimation from Sir Austen as is contained in your note, and I have replied10 asking Mr. Houghton to tell Sir Austen that the pressure of other events during the past six weeks has made it totally impossible for me to give the consideration to the claims matter which is necessary before I take the matter up in detail with the President. I appreciate the desire of the British Government to have the matter adjusted before Parliament convenes, but I can give no assurance that the matter can be arranged at this end before February 8th. I shall give all the time I can to the question, and will let you know the President’s decision just as soon as I can.

I am [etc.]

Frank B. Kellogg
  1. Alanson B. Houghton, Ambassador in Great Britain.
  2. Neither telegram printed.