The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-02-03
us. CONSIDERING
PACT WITH BERLIN
TO SETTLE CLAIMS
Alien Property Custodian
Would Restore Property
Of Poorer Nationals.

A treaty Of commerce and amity
ia the nrst step that must be taken
in Hquidating American claims
against Germany. according to Alien
Property Custodian Thomas w MIL
Ter. -
That steps TO this end will be un-
dertaken as soon as the arms con-
: ference completes its work was in
dicated-
Meanwhile. Miller said. IL the con-
cIusion of the treaty required long
tine, he favored prompt restoration
Of the property Of poorer enemy
natinals.
Makes sole Reservation.
Although passage Of the foreign
debt refunding bill may have a sal
utary effect upon Germany's fnan-
ciaI position, and that Of other for
mer enemy countries. nevertheless.
according to Col. Miller. America
must hold its ss5o.ooo. 900 alien trust
as security for payment Of claims.
Only on this basis. Mr.. Muller be-
lieves. can the Court of Claims to
be appointed by President Harding
function successfully.
II would make only one reserva-
ton in this respect" Mr.. Miller said.
IF there must be a long delay in
drawing up and ratifying treaty Of
commerce and amity. which is the
first step toward liquidating these
claims. then / am anxious that the
property OF poorer nationals of Ger
many and the other former enemy
countries be returned as quickly as
possible.
CIassines U. =. Claims.
American claims against Ger
many can be divided into two
classes:
First, those of Americans whose
cash was seized by the German Gus
tc dian and who are now being Of
fered the return IT their cash at the
deprecated value of the m ARK.
which, IL accepted. would amount
to practical confiscation-
Second, those on file in the State
Department for loss of property and
life at sea because of submarine
sinkings before April 6. 1917; the
total amount of these claims being
over $500. 100000.
Opposed to Connscation.
1T is patent that the millions OF
alien property cannot be used to
satisfy these claims without resort
ing to confiscation CT private prop
wnrhfrh IL and mt IN
be considered.
However. with Germany bank
rupt. the property held in my office
ought to be harnessed and not re-
turned Internationally. The larger
business interests of Germany
wohse property is onw being held
are satisfied that II remain in this
country. II II were possible to utiI-
ize the fund now on deposit in the
United States Treasury to revive
certain alien industries, one can
readily see how sucn property
might have a direct bearing on the
Economic relations of the United
States.
Much Time Required.
"All this takes time. Even the re-
turn OF property to original owner,
requires considerable work, and if
a clearing house system be adopted
to liquidate the American claim,
out of alien property held here, the
operation will be still more compli-
Gated.
Meantime, with s35T,435 $50. So
worth of alien property TO admins
ter. which includes several factorie.
big eonugh to keep several trust
companies busy, the office of Alien
Property Custodian must go on in
fun blast Since the seizure of the
Bergdon properties on July 2. there
have been no further seizures, de-
mands or sales, excepting a few par
cells of real estate which were de-
teriorating."