Evening star., 1918-01-13
MEXICO TO SETTLE
CLAIMS DUE TO WAR
President Carranza Issues De-
cree for Commission to
Take Up Question.
DECISIONS OF BOARD FINAL
(suectaI Correspondence of The Sunday
Star and New York WoridD

Especial Correspondence Of The sunday
Star and New York Worid.)
CITY OF MEXICO. January 7.-Ameri-
cans and other foreigners who nave
claims for damages against the Mexican
government for losses sustained during
the revolution will be given an oppor-
tunity to present them for adjudication
and settlement to a Mexican claims COM
mission the organization of which is pro-
vided for under a decree which has Just
been issued by President Carranza-
These claims, the amount of which is
variousiy and loosely estimated at all the
way from $780, ,0o0. 600 to s75o, 900, have
been recognized as a matter of principle
by the present government Of Mexico.
The work of this commission will be
wholly separate from whatever cons1dera-
tion may be given to claims OF 1oreigners
by mixed claims commission composed
of representatives of Mexico and other
foreign governments. which in all prob.
ability will eventually be created to deal
foreigners in the disorders in Mexico since
1910.
II foreigners, as such. elect to offer their
claims for adjudication by the Mexican
claims commission they will not be bar
red under the decree creating the COM
mission from objecting to the decision OF
the commission either personally or
through diplomatic channels The COM
mission. which has not yet been appoint
ed. will be composed of president and
four members, all native-born Mexicans.
Terms of the Decree.
The vital features of the decree under
which the commission will act. the pro-
cedure, etc, and other matters Of in
terest to Americans who have claims
pending against the Mexican govern
ment, as set forth in the decree, are as
follows:
THE commission will receive all of the
claims presented, providing that the
claimants comply with the formal requi-
sites established by law. After receiv-
ing claim the commission will care
fully examine it, and should the claim
be considered as complying with all the
requirements of the present law the
same will be admitted.
The commission will begin forthwith
to solicit from the proper authorities
all of the data that are thought necessary
procedure Of the claim. or to determine
the amount of indemnity to be paid.
During this period will be received such
proof as may be considered by the in
claims. but with the understanding that,
whatever may be the result of these
preliminary Investigations the final re-
suit OF same must be brought to the
Atention OF the commission by documen-
tary evidence.
This decision of the commission will
be duly communicated to the interested
party, who will submit In writing his
acqufescence to or refusal of same. The
claim will then be submitted to the
president OF the republic through the
department OF the treasury, for his final
decision. providing the same does not
concern foreigner who has expressed
MS refusal to abide by the decision Of
IN s-A
disposed OF in accordance with article
ALL OF the present law.
In Spanish Language.
All claims must be presented in writ
ing, in the Spanish language. These
claims should contain the name Of the
individual or firm the nationality and
address of the claimant and Should
indicate with the greatest possible de-
TAIL the places and the dates wherein
occurred the events which give rise to
.ne claim and the, persons who acted
ture OF the damage sustained and the
amount thereof in Mexican currency.
which Is asked for by the claimant as
an indemnity.
The commission will admit only such
claims, as are established as follows:
FIRST on damages caused by the rev.
pulmonary forces, or recognized as such
oy the legitimate governments that
triumph Of the revolution in question;
second, those occasioned by the forces
OF the governments themselves in the
exercise Of their functions and during
the struggle against the rebels; third.
those caused by the forces dependent
upon the so-cal1ed federal army un to
the time of its dissolution.
Time Limit, Three Years.
The time for entering claims is set
Tor tnree years, which is to be reck-
oned from the date of the present law.
The claims resulting from the revolu-
tion begun in 1910, which NAV have
been submitted already to the consult
Ing commission established according
to the law OF May 81. 1910, will have.
as a result of their conformity with the
regulations. recognition from the new
commission.
Claims may be established on the de-
struction OF private property reuuisf-
tions for money. revenues. animals or
merchandise. or any other personal or
property damages that have ben sus-
tanned. providing that the interested par
ties have not already obtained indemni-
ties for same; but in no case may indem-
mites be claimed for losses such as the
deprivation of business profits that re-
suited from the state of war in which
the country was engaged
Foreign claimants will transmit with
their claims documentary proofs con-
cerning their nationality, and those who
fail to do SO will be regarded as Mexi-
cans so Tar as this law is concerned,
with the understanding that, as con.
+ sequence they shall renounce all right
that they may have later on to present
such claims through diplomatic channels.
Foreign claimants who have duly estab-
hshed their nationality. but who have
not been satisfied with the commission 3
decision. may present their objections
personally or through diplomatic chan
nels.
The decisions of the commission rela-
i've 10 claims made by foreigners who
may refuse to abide by such decisions
IN either of the two ways indicated will
be submitted to a commission composed
of three arbitrators
The decisions of the commission o4
arbftrators shall be final
"A special law will determine in due
season the mode Of awarding the pay
ment Of the indemnities.'
To Curb Sale of Art Objects.