411.60d Finnish Vessels/165

Memorandum by the Secretary of State

The Minister of Finland called at his own request and brought up the question of the shipping claims of Finnish nationals against this [Page 82] Government growing out of the World War. I did not go into further discussion of their merits and demerits, but stated to him that we would be disposed to confer with him with the view of seeing whether our two governments could agree on some judicial tribunal of the United States before which these claims might be heard and by it determined. The Minister indicated his favorable attitude towards this course. I thereupon requested him to confer with Assistant Secretary Moore and the Legal Adviser, Mr. Hackworth, adding that I had indicated to them that in the event the Minister felt so disposed I would probably request him to confer with them. This step was accordingly taken by the Minister on leaving my office.

C[ordell] H[ull]