493.11/1870: Telegram
The Minister in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State
Peiping
, May 29,
1934—2 p.m.
[Received May 29—11:40 a.m.]
[Received May 29—11:40 a.m.]
225. Legation’s 186, April 21, 11 a.m. and Department’s 128, April 26, 5 p.m.
- 1.
- Legation has completed preparation of a list of some 650 claims from data in its files. In going through this list with the idea of preparing a “selected list” for presentation to Chinese Foreign Office the Legation has been more and more persuaded of impracticability of such a method, (a) because presentation of such a selected list [Page 555] might cast doubt upon subsequent lists, (b) we want the establishment of a claims commission. Such piecemeal presentation would merely serve to delay decision in this matter.
- 2.
- With the Department’s approval Legation proposes to make a list of entire 600-odd claims arranged alphabetically showing amount of claims as of date filed or presented and a very general statement as to the nature of claim for presentation to the Foreign Office with a statement that the claims listed have been [taken?] from the records of the Legation but that the list cannot be considered as complete and consequently it is submitted without prejudice to other American claims against the Chinese Government.
- 3.
- Legation believes this would be better tactics in that presentation of such a list might be helpful in persuading Foreign Office to accept idea of Claims Commission.
Johnson