893.51 Contractual Obligations/34: Telegram

The Minister in China ( Johnson ) to the Secretary of State

369. Department’s 205, July 12, 5 p.m. Legation has been attempting to keep itself informed regarding reported settlement of outstanding financial obligations of the Chinese Government to Japanese interests. Information in this regard has been conflicting.

With reference to final paragraph Department’s telegram is it Department’s belief that Legation should abandon discussions of American claims as a whole along lines hitherto followed and advise American claimants that they should individually reconsider their claims and approach Chinese Government with the active assistance of the Legation for settlement on best terms available rather than await some future settlement either on the basis of findings of a claims commission or on the basis of continued general diplomatic pressure?

Johnson