Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1920-06-09
In Settlement of Immense War
Claims.


Belgium, Portugal, Holland, Spain
and Italy on the one hand and the
war department on the other, has
been sent to the public printer by its
chairman, Edward L. Parker.
The most important of the settle
ments was that for France, the de-
tail of which are given for the first
time in the Parker report. It is shown
that of the vast amount of material
the United States had in Europe, sup
plies and equipment to the value OF
six hundred and seventy-two million
dollars have been returned to this
country. The balance was sold in Eu-
rope for eight hundred and twenty
two million, nine hundred and twenty
three thousand, two hundred and
TWENTY-FIVE dollars. According to
present valuations, what was sold m
Europe cost this country one and a
half billion dollars to buy and trans
port abroad.
The settlement with France was
divided as follows: l.
/. A contract whereby France as
sumed all our obligations to the rail-
roads of France, covering all service
to October 1, 1919. For this the
United States paid her four hundred,
thirty-four million, nine hundred
eighty-ive thousand, three hundred
eighty-nine and seventy three hun
dred francs. This was principally for
carrying and recarrying more than
100000 men.
2. A contract whereby France as
sumed all obligations to local cham
bers of commerce and other claim
ants for costs incurred to raising wa
ter levels for the United States and
all charges for port dues for the en-
try of American vessels into French
ports during the American period OF
war. For this the United States PAID
France three million francs.
8. A contract whereby France as
sumed all claims of any person or
organization in France against the
Tinted States for damage to proper
ty or life during the war period. 10
cover this the United States paid
France twelve million francs.
A. A contract of general settle
ment with France, dated November
25, 1919, finally and for all time dis
posing of all claims and controversies
between France and the war depart
ment of the United States, by the
terms of which France acknowledged
an indebtedness to America, in addl
tion to the bulk sales bonds of four
hundred million dollars, of one hum
dred seventy-seven millions, one hun
dred, forty-nine thousand, eight hum
.dred sixty-six dollars and twenty-slx
cents, and America acknowledged an
Indebtedness to France, in addition
to the other amounts given above OF
four hundred eighty-eight million,
six hundred ninety thousand, twenty
seven and fifty-two hundredths
francs.
In the settlement with Belgium
there is a net balance due the United
State of twenty-seven million one
hundred sixty-two thousand, seven
hundred twenty dollars and ninety
three cents. The settlement with
Italy is in her favor in the sum OF
twenty-nine million one hundred SIX
thousand, five hundred forty-sx
thousand FIVE hundredgdt y 6543
and seventy-fve hundredths lire.
PAYMENTS were made to Great Brit
ion of seven hundred ninety-seven
thousand, eight hundred ffty-four
pounds sterling. Individual claims in
tine countries mentioned were settled
for eight million, four hundred thir-
teen thousand nine hundred eighty
four dollars and nineteen cents.
Fifty-three claims were rejected.
The total sales of property abroad
was eight hundred twenty-five mil
lion, nine hundred rtwenty-three
thousand, two hundred twenty-five
dollars. What is known as the bulk
sales to France amounted to four
hundred million dollars, payment be-
ing made with ten-year 5 per cent
bonds.