411.12/2451a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in Mexico (Daniels)
227. Inasmuch as the two Commissioners designated under the General Claims Protocol of 193485 to consider the claims covered by that [Page 691] Protocol have now submitted their report, the next step to be taken with respect to these claims is that provided for in Paragraph Fifth of the Protocol, namely, the conclusion of a convention by the two Governments for final disposition of the claims. This contemplates a convention providing for an en bloc settlement or reference to an umpire of the cases upon which the two Commissioners have not agreed.
In view of the length of time that these cases have been occupying the attention of the two Governments and of the dissatisfaction that has resulted from the delay in disposing of them, which dissatisfaction has been manifested not only by the claimants but by members of Congress, as well as the executive branch of this Government, the Department considers it of the utmost importance that negotiations looking to a final settlement should be undertaken at the earliest possible date. You are therefore requested to take up the matter immediately with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and after impressing upon him the importance of bringing the whole claims situation to an early conclusion, inquire whether he is prepared promptly to send a representative to Washington with authority to discuss possible terms of a lump sum settlement. While we prefer that the discussion be held here we will, of course, be willing to send a representative to Mexico City if the Mexican Government insists upon having the discussions held there.
Inasmuch as it is understood that the Mexican holidays begin on the 20th of this month and last until the 1st of December, it will be desirable to have a prompt answer in order that we may make our arrangements accordingly.
- Signed April 24, 1934; Department of State Treaty Series No. 878, or 49 Stat. 3071; see also Foreign Relations, 1934, vol. v, pp. 467 ff.↩