The New York herald., 1922-07-21
ASKS CONFISCATION
TO PAY WAR CLAIMS
Underwood Bill Proposes Ger
man Property Here REIN
burse Americans.

Special Dispatch TO THE NEw YoRK HERALD.
New York HeraId Burear.l
Washington. ID. e., July 90.
Payment Of the American war claims
against Germany out OF the allen prop
erty seized by the Alien Property Gus
todian during the war Is the purpose OF
a bill introduced to-day by Senator Un-
derwood (Ala.). The bill provides for
the creation Of an enemy property claims
commission. to be appointed by the
President and confirmed by the Senate
Senator Underwood explained the aims
Of the bill. which preciptated an ami
mated debate on the League Of Nations
and the Versailles Treaty, in which sew.
eral Senators. including Senators Borat
| (Idaho). Lodge (Mass) and Robinson
| (Ark.) took part.
| The Underwood proposal is In direc'
conflict with the views of the Admins
tration on the subject. President Har'
ding has indicated on numerous occa
/ sions his opposition to the confiscatior
Of the property of German citizens tt
pay the war claims held against thu
German Government by citizens Of thi:
nation 80 long as there is reason to be
l,eve that the German Government vii
pay.
| 1t was clearly indicated by the debate
to-day that the President will be sup
| ported in his position by Senator Lodg'
! (Mass.) and Senatar Borah Udaho).
Senator Underwood pointed out tina
! the total of the American claims filet
against Germany with the State Depart
ment will aggregate nearly s1,000,oo0.
| 900, although, he said, the amounts IL
many instances were excessive and thu
claims allowed will undoubtedly be mucl
! less
The Treaty Of Versailles and the sepa
rate treaty OF. peace, said Senator Tn
derwood, contemplated that the Ger
man property in our hands should b.
used as a pledge to secure the settle
ment Of American claims against Ger
many. SO far as know no steps hav,
been taken by this Government to pro
tect American claimants and to provid
for the liquidation Of their claims.
I'VE hear a great deal about tn
funds in the hands Of the Alien Prop
| erty Custodian. and various bills hav
been introduced to return the propert.
I to- the Germans. / think it about tim
that something was done to reimburs
our citizens for their Just and prope
claims against the German Govern
ment" f.
.'Can the Senator say whether any ar
rangement has SO far been made 70
the adjustment Of claims OF America
citizens growing out Of the sinking Q
the Lusitania?" Senator Robinson @
Arkansas inquired.
Nothing whatever. That is include
in the bill. and under the provisions O
! the bill the families and representative
of those who were murdered in the sink
ing Of the Lusitania will have the oppor
tunity to present their claims" Senate
Underwood replied.
Why" asked Senator Robinson, 'ha
no action been taken 70 adjust thes
claips?"
II don't know answered Senator Tn
derwood.
TT was contemplated" he continued
and expressly stated in the Treaty c
Versailles that the property in the hand
OF the Alien Property Custodian shoul
be held in trust by the United State
Government to secure payment Of thes
claims. The provisions. in the Treaty. {
Versailles in referencevto these claim,
were made part OF the separate treat
Of peace with Germany"