411.60d Finnish Vessels/160
The Department of State to the Finnish Legation
It may be said in response to the memorandum left with the Secretary of State by the Minister of Finland on July 3, 1935,15 that when the arrangement for the exchange of pleadings in relation to the claims of Finnish nationals for the alleged detention of thirteen Finnish sailing vessels was made, it was understood that if, upon the completion of the exchange of pleadings the Finnish Government was not prepared to abandon the claims, the Department would give further consideration to the matter of taking steps to have the claims adjudicated by the United States Court of Claims, on the understanding that in the event that the claims were referred to the Court of Claims, the losing party would pay costs and expenses.
It may be said further that on April 12, 1935, the Assistant Secretary of State, in referring to the statement of the Finnish case left at the Department of State on January 30, 1935, by Dr. Sigurd von Numers, Secretary of Legation,15 and to the answer of the United States handed to Dr. von Numers on March 4, 1935,15 requested to be informed whether the statements, arguments and conclusions advanced in the reply of the claimants to the answer of the United States, left at the Department on April 415 were to be regarded as reflecting the views and position of the Finnish Government.
The Legation of Finland has not as yet answered the inquiry made in the note of April 12, 1935. It is deemed preferable to delay answering the question propounded in the memorandum of the Finnish Minister dated July 3, until answer to the note of April 12, 1935, shall have been received.