New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-30
Hughes Asks
Free Hand ON
! Cern1anClairlls
I'm Letter TO Senator Nelson.
Secretary Says Passage of
Underwood Bill Would Be
Embarrassing TO Harding
Favors MixedC Commission
Measures Author Asserts
Treaty With Berlin Gives
Congress Power to Act

From The Trfbune's wcshtmosos Bureau
WASHINGTON, July 2e.--Supporting
ing his opposition to the Senate bill
providing for commission of Ameri-
can citizens TO pass on claims for dam
ages against the German and Austro-
hungarian governments, Secretary Of
State Hughes to-day, in a letter to
Senator Nelson, chairman of the SEN
ate Committee on Judiciary, points out
that negotiations are now in progress
for settlement of the obligations
against Germany and that satisfac-
tory convention will be signed shortly.
Senator Underwood later gave out
a reply to Secretary Hughes saying
that the Secretary's plan was Sur
render" Of American rights and sin di-
rect contrayention of the treaty of peace
that he negotiated with Germany and
that was signed at Berlin
Secretary Hughes asserts that in
view Of the fact that this government
has negotiated peace treaties with the
two former enemy countries the ques-
ton Of claims becomes an international
one, and the usual practice is that the
governments concerned shall be repre-
sented on the commission to determine
the amount to be assessed.
at is hardly necessary for me to say
that am most anxious that a settle
ment OF the claims of American citi-
gems should promptly be effected" Mr..
Hughes wrote. "You undoubtedly ap-
preeiate that in addition to the diff
oulties which, as result of political
and economic conditions,y have con-
tronted the nations with which the
United States was associated in the
of 81
against former enemy countries the
government of the United States was
obliged to deal with conditions Incl
dent TO the conclusion of treaties with
Germany, Austria and Hungary to re-
establish friendly relations with those
nations.
Would Follow Usual Procedure
Following the conclusion of such
treaties, negotiations were entered into
with Germany looking to the adjust
ment of the claims of our citizens pur-
suant to the rights Of the United States
recognized under the treaty concluded
August %, 1921, with that country.
1t is contemplated that mixed COM
mission, on which Germany will have
representation, will be established to
determine the amounts of these claims
in accordance with the procedure usu-
ally governing matters of this kind.
Il am glad to say that despite the
recent difficulties in Germany, which
apparently have delayed the completion
Of the arrangement, gratifying progress
has been made and | believe that a
satisfactory convention will shortly be
signed. The negotiations with the Ger
man government indicate a desire on
its part to move as expeditiously as
possible, with a view to the consum-
nation of the plans under considera-
ton. 1t is manifest that legislation
such as that contemplated by the bill
In question would be embarrassing to
he Executive in dealing with the mat
Ter of these claims, since the enactme emit
Of the bill into law would make it
Necessary TO abandon present plans.
"Apare from this effect of the pas
sage of the bill, l may say that it seems
TO me entirely appropriate that the
usual practice should be followed in
the determination of international
claims, and that Germany should have
appropriate representation upon a
mixed claims commission by which the
amount of these claims shall be as
sessed.
Not Purely Domestic Affair
'The bill seems to deal with the set
tlemei.t Of claims as if 1t were purely q
domesr,t affair. But the claims are
those Of American citizens against
Ge-1f any. Austria and Hungary, and it
has hitherto been contem plated, as the
joint resoluti Ion of Congress approved
July 2, 1921, makes clear, that these
governments shall make suitable pro-
vision for the satisfaction of these
claims. But if these governments are
10 make such provision should regard
Nas proper that thew should have the
opportunity of being represented on
TIE claims commission by which the
ineunt of che claims is to be fixed.
i do not see that any different prin-
clple should be applied because we hold
the private property of former enemies
ID pledge, but this situation, should
suppose, would rather make the course
TO which | have referred, if possible,
SUI more important before resort were
had to such property for satisfaction.
70 undertake to exclude nation in a
case like the present from any partici-
NDCN~TI