State immunity — Jurisdictional immunity — Action for default on government bonds — United States Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act 1976 — Retroactive application — Commercial activity exception — Whether applicable to issue of bonds — Whether applicable to bonds issued in 1911 — Application of doctrine of absolute immunity in 1911 — Procedure — Service of process — Judgment in default — Grounds for setting aside judgment in default

Governments — Succession — People’s Republic of China — Whether Government of People’s Republic of China liable in respect of bonds issued by Imperial Government of China

Relationship of international law and municipal law — Foreign relations interest in litigation before municipal courts — Action against foreign State — Evidence from Executive that action affecting foreign relations interests — Relevance — The law of the United States