Bisbee daily review., 1918-03-12
ALIEN OWNED
 PROPERTY ID
 BE PURCHASED
Senate. Passes Bill Authorizing Nation to Buy All Interests Owned By Residents Of Central Powers.
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 WASHINGTON, March 11-Legisla- ton authorizing the sale of all enemy property in this country, requested by the alien property custodian to perma- neDtly uproot German commercial in- fluenee was approved today by the senate and added to the urgent defi- ciency appropriation bill An amend ment empowering the president to ac- quire title to the German steamship companies docks and wharves at Ho- boken. x. J.. also was accepted.
 The vote on the provision for sale of enemy property was unanirlous, 64 to O. and came after several hours scathing denunciation of German Kul- cur and intrigues for world domination
 Enemy property within the meaning of the law is property owned in an en- emy country and official assurances have been given that there is no inten- tion tu interfere with the property or money of Germans or Austrians living in this country. The purpose is to sev. CT forever the hold of Germans in Ger many upon vast commercial and indus trial holdings. Interests in the United States which have seen closely con nected with the kaiser's government and prevent their serving as outpOsts of the Te-tonic movement for world domination.
 Treaty Not Violated
 Under trading with the enemy act the alien property custodian takes pos session of and administers these prop critics but is without authority to fi- nally dispose of them. The new legis- lation will empower him to place them in American hands.
 Virtually the only questions raised ir today's debate were the policy of violating the treaty of 1799 between Prussia and the United States and of too hasty action by congress. Expect el opposition to the provision for pur chase Of the Hamburg American and North German Llayd docks at HObok- en failed to materialiZe. Prompt ap- proval or both provisions by the house is expected as soon as the senate final Iy dispcses of the S2,000.OO 900 urgent deficiency appropriation bill to which they are added. Before the senate act ed democratic leader Martin presented a memorandum from the state depart ments legal bureau declaring that the 1599 treaty was not regarded as applic- able
 What is to he done with the pro ceeds Of the sale of German interests which some senators today suggested are owned in part by Emperor William himself. is a policy to be determined later.
 Would Not Pay Huns
 Senator Martin said:
 "Sreaking for myself. and. I think the American people. if the German people ever get any compensation, it will he after they have compensated the American people fOi the millions would even say billions-Of dollars worth of property which they have ruthlessly destroyed
 Quoting from statements of A. Mitchell Palmer. the alien property custodian. when he appeared before the senate appropriations committee in urging the legislation. Senator Mar tin sad many of the German owners had returned to Germany and now are waging war on this country.
 ''It is inconceivable, he said, If we are to make any accounting that it shall be made without an accounting from Germany for the destruction made CT property of An erican citizens. God forbid that I should protect inter .ests of the German people any more han I am compelled to-"
 That Germany regards the 1799 treaty as "a mere scrap of paper" was asserted by Senator Underwood of Alabama. who said the treaty does not interfere with the sale of German property proposed.
 Let the junker know that America is fighting in earnest, said Mir. Under wood. Tt is entirely probable that the German emperor himself, holding in the names of ether persons, owns a large part of the property involved"
 Chairman Stone rgrees
 Senator Stone of Missouri, chairman of the foreign relations committee, said that examination of the treaty of 1799 and various authorities on inter national law convinced him that the amendment authorizing the sale of en- emy property was proper. He said his purpose in asking that consideration of the amendment when called up last Saturday be prepared was to permit him 70 make this query for if the amendment conflicted with the treaty he did not think the United States should follow a bad example in the treatment of our obligations as scraps of parer."
 ''The proud thing in our history Is the fact that the United States adheres even if it might be to its great disad vantage. to its solemn faith and pledge" Senator Stone added. want cd to look into this matter. As a re- suit of my investigations I concluded that this legislation was proper and hence was taking no part in the dis cussiOn."