The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-02-03

and allow us to take this property and
 pay our nationals for injury done by
 the German government and its citizens.
 '1t would be rank discrimination
 against our own people, and in favor of
 the late enemy, for us to surrender this
 property. It may be said that we are
 not party to the treaty of Versailles.
 Nevertheless, the title to this property
 comes from Germany, and under her agreement in the treaty of Versailles it is
 settled on the basis that it shall be used to pay our citizens for property lost ana destroyed by Germany"
 In the face of this practicable state ment. Senator Smith of Georgia revealed
 what appeared to be very marked con sideration and tender heart for the Ger man empire. It was his point that ire spective of the culpable action of Ger
 many, it behooved the United States to present an example of charitableness the like of which has never before been seen. TENDER SOLICITUDE 'The property in the hands of the alien property custodian he declared with
 marked solemnity, belonged at the time it was sequestered to certain individuals
 and we have no right, as a nation, to de- prive them of it, or to divert it for some other use It still belongs to those who owned it at the time it was seized and the obligation rests on our government as a matter of good faith, to return 1t. No matter how meritorious may be the claims against the German government to use the property of few individuals because they are Germans would be &
 breach of good faith.
 At that juncture, Senator Underwood said: T realize that the senator is sub hitting humanitarian and charitable view. However, I believe first in doing justice to our own people. How are the American citizens whose property was destroyed by ruthless German govern ment to get a settlement of their claims 1 if we are to turn this property back to German citizens?'
 That is a pertinent ouestion,' returned Senator Smith. Our citizens should re- ceve justice from the German govern
 ment, but the liability is by the German government to them, and this liability , would not excuse the United States from doing an injustice to few German eiti-
 zens. In our treaty with Germany we should demand and require compensa- ton for our own citizens" SMITH FOUNDERS It seemed that then Senator Underwood had the ponderous Georgian on the hip. He inquired: How are we to get it? We cannot force Germany 70 pay for the upkeep of the American soldiers on the Rhine who are there as result of an arnistice agreement as first charge agalnSt the naulOn | Senator Smith began to founder. We ought to have taken care of our rights 1 in this respect in the treaty" he ex- claimed with kind of desperation. and we still ought to do so."
 "If we had ratified the treaty of Yer sailles, it would have been taken care of," rejoined Underwood
 q do not think so," retorted Smith. There can be no question about 1t, replied Underwood.
 q do not agree with the senator re- turned Smith.
 If the senator will read the treaty Of Versailles"
 T have read it." said Smith. ''He will see that it plainly says that this property shall be used in payment of the claims of American citizens. Is
 that not true?"
 Smith lodged.
 q do not think the German govern
 ment has the right to give away the
 property of it's citizens he said.
 "I think the senator will find,' cooly
 and finally replied Underwood that that
 is a new announcement of international
 law. That a government cannot control the rights of it's own nationals is new announcement of international law which IT have never before heard advanced These were the first guns There is no qustion but that in the near future the general battle will be joined