CO129-628-12 War Damage Compensation- USSR claims 1-1-1950 - 31-5-1950 — Page 29

Translation.

NO 13-A.

·

27

Received in the Foreign Office February 3, 1950.

The Embassy of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics present their compliments to the Foreign Office and have the honour to communicate the following:

In their note No. 41-A of March 16th 1948 the Rabassy referred to a claim made on the British Government Office for Insurance against Tar Risk in ressect of payment of compensation in connexion with the seizure on December 18th, 1941 in Hong Kong, by the Japanese Command, of the Steamers imferopol" and "Svirstroi" which were insured against war risk with the above British Government Office. On the instructions of the Soviet Government, the Embassy explained the circumstances of the seizure of these vessels by the Japanese Command during the course of military action in the Pacific, and gave information regarding the measures taken by the Soviet authorities for the release of the said ships.

The question of the proofs needed by the British Government Insurance Office for payment of the compensation in respect of the Soviet steamers "Simferopol" and "Svirstroi" was gone into thoroughly in the said note. Nevertheless the insurance office have not yet paid out the compensation and continue to ask to be furnished with additional proofs.

The Embassy wish to drew the attention of the Foreign Office to the fact that, as the Government of the USSR transmitted an official communication regarding the circumstances of the seizure of the steamers 'Simferopol" and "Eviretroi", claims for any additional proofs are in- consistant, and the action of the said Government office, in refusing to satisfy the legal claims of the owners of the said ships, is not in accordance with the law.

The Embassy therefore request the Foreign Office to undertake the necessary measures in order that the British Government Insurance Office should pay out without further delay the compensation to be paid for the said Soviet

vessels.

The Foreign Office,

London.

London, 3 February 1950.