The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1922-06-23
Big Tangle
In German

By DAVID LAWRENCE
Copyright by The InieliiSencer)

Washington. June ce-Nithough
President Harding has dec.icd 20 follow
the humane course which has been ira
d,.fonal in American history IN return
ing the private property OF citizens OF
an enemy country. the painful truth IS
that In the instance OF the German ma
tions practically all the property no"
held by the United StaetS VIII come
into the hands OF the German govern
nent and eventually viii be transferred
10 the allied governments as reparat'on
money.
mcnt has on its statute books TAX on
capital which would virtually confiS-
cate the properly about 10 be returned
by the American government 10 Ger'nah
citizens. President Harding and his as
sociates realize this but II WAS Sta}eu
AT the White House In response 10 an
inquiry, that the United states govern
ment is powerless - intervene as be
tween German citizens and the German
government
There has been some discussion ot
he possibility that the American gov
ernment might make as a condition or
the return that tho German government
waive the tax on capital or that the
department OF state use IS good offices
20 secure exemption for German ma
,:ons,s having property in the United
states.
WIN Not Intervene.
For the moment. however. American
officials will not intervene. CnofficiaI-
- German embassy spokesman nave
assured American officials that the tax
on capital would not be enforced against
the German nationals having property
returned TO them by the United states
government and Il may be that this Will
De the ase. bu, there is nothing defi-
1, Is believed q special law would have
10 be passed IN Germany 10 cover the
exemption.
The situation becomes particularly
vital because the United States plans
to return approximately so.ooQ.ooo
worth OF property which takes in sbou,
80 per cent OF the people interested IN
getting property back. The remaining
: per cent own property estimated IN
value at from s350.o00.O0o 70 s+5e.00o.-
orr. Should the German government
practically confiscate the first $4,000
0NQ Il would have an importau: Gearing
on the disposition Of the rematnd[T or
the property. -
American cla,x
Americans who hsxs:Tsalns
,Ae German Goyernrert sither ,@fough
Ihs death OF relatives on the IusEania
or elsewhere IN the war zone and the
snc state OF German finances they rave
little chance TO collect their CLAIMS.
That's why they have been insisting
tha, the property OF German nationals
could De used as a means OF paytnS
Claims. The President and his col
leagues have been opposed TO this on
the ground that American tradition was
against contiscat!on Of private prop
Crcy OF enemy citizens but American
claimants declare that - the American
German government Will and the pro-
ceeds will not 90 either 10 American
claimants or the owners OF Germany
property but Will Go 70 tho allied gov
eTnments as rcparat.on payment.
The representatives. of American
claimants have suggested that the
wiser course for the American govern
meut TO follow would be TO hold the
German property in trust until Ger
many can pay American claimants. The
objection 70 this mas been the fact that
many persons with small amounts OF
property were being made TO suffer un-
reCssSarily. The compromise plan
which was worked out by Colonel ThoS.
". Miller. alien property custodian. and
now is approved by the Prcssdent,w
With the consent Of congress give 10
German nationals all property under
$4,000 In valus and on large estates
az least $4,000 The prospects are that
,he owners OF the large estates will not
uish them divided so as 70 get $4,000
md Will decline 70 accept the $4,000
preferring 20 keep their estates intact.
The President has followed almost en-
Irely tho recommendations OF Colonel
Miller. who for months has been
organizing the office OF the allen prop
srtv custodian. II cannot Be said. how
ever. that = permanent poAcy has YET
been evolved for until congress- ap-
proves the legislation being drafted by
colonel Miller and the departments o.
state and justice and some Idea Is OBJ
taired Of the attitude Uf tho German
governmeAt toward tho first $4,000. ono
worth Of property returned the whole
subject viii he more or less In abey-
anCe.