493.11 N 15/255: Telegram
The Minister in China (MacMurray) to the Secretary of State
Peking, November 26,
1928—11 a.m.
[Received November 26—9:45 a.m.]
[Received November 26—9:45 a.m.]
844. 1. Following from Shanghai:
“November 23, 10 a.m. Following from Spiker and Lyman:
- ‘1. American mission has included in its claim for Nanking losses a nominal rental for mission premises forcibly occupied by Nationalist troops for many months. Chinese Commissioners hold that such rental claim is not properly included as loss but American Commissioners dissent. Does Legation agree with position of American Commissioners?
- 2. Chinese Commissioners suggest that Sino-American Joint Commission shall not consider claims originally filed after November 27, 1928. In view of lapse of time since all interested parties were advised to file claims, this proposal appears reasonable to the American Commissioners with the proviso that such action by the Commission shall in no wise affect other claims which may later be filed for consideration in the usual way by the American and Chinese Governments. American Commissioners have repeatedly and definitely gone on record in this regard in strict compliance with Legation’s telegraphic instructions No. 218 of August 31, 7 p.m. Since some time limit must be set for the acceptance of claims to be assessed by the Commission, American Commissioners request Legation’s sanction to the acceptance with the proviso named.’”
2. I am inclined to agree with the American Commissioners on the two points raised but venture to request the Department’s instructions before replying. The Legation’s telegram No. 218, August 31, 7 p.m., referred to quotation from the third paragraph of the Department’s 294, August 31 [30], 2 p.m., paragraphs No[s]. 1 and 2, having been previously repeated to Shanghai.
MacMurray