493.11/1695: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
118. Your 285, March 28, 3 p.m. If, as earnestly desired by the Department, the Chinese Government agrees to the establishment of a Sino-American claims commission, a somewhat lengthy interval is likely to occur between such agreement and the actual functioning of the proposed commission. Due to this phase of the question and the possibility that with the passage of time Soong and Lo may become less favorably inclined to the proposal than is the [Page 635] case at present, the Department is most anxious that at least preliminary negotiations be concluded at earliest possible moment. Department therefore suggests that the Legation and Consulate General at Nanking lose no opportunity to press for appropriate action on the part of the Chinese Government.