493.11/1728: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in China (Johnson)
192. Your 503, June 6, 2 p.m.,97 and concluding paragraph of Department’s 8, January 11, 11 a.m.
In view of unfortunate publicity given proposed claims commission by Chinese official, Department approves of your informing [Page 638] Lampson99 in strict confidence of general nature of such proposal. You may emphasize to Lampson that the proposed claims commission does not represent a new departure in the settlement of outstanding claims and that in general character it is similar to other claims commissions which in the past have proven to be of assistance in liquidating American claims against the government concerned or against the nationals of that government and the claims of that government and its nationals against the American Government.
As indicated in its 118 of April 13, 4 p.m., Department is most anxious that at least preliminary negotiations be concluded at earliest possible moment. It is believed that Soong continues favorably inclined to proposed claims commission but if success is to be attained the matter must be pressed assiduously by the Legation and the Consul General at Nanking.