Evening star., 1926-12-13
Official Side Considered.

On the official side the American
Government Is beholden to German
nationals for ships seized in American
ports when the United States entered
the war, for German radio stations
operating on American territory and
for certain patents seized under the
trading with the enemy act, which
were turned over TO the Army and
Navy Departments. The value of
these German private claims against
the American Government has not
vet been fixed. They will be made
the subject of an adjudication indie
pendent Of the procedure adopted by
the Mixed Claims Commission in de
termining the awards TO American
claimants.
AS a result of prolonged hearings
before the ways and means committee
it is believed that the way has been
paved for an equitable solution to pro-
tect alike the interests of American
claimants and the rights of German
nationals.
American nationals already have
been awarded $140 100000. while
claims still awaiting adjudication will
bring the final total up to $3.50, ,000, ,00Q.
The awards bear per cent interest.
Indemnification for deaths and per-
Sonal injuries to the amount of $780,
200 has been awarded American claim
ants.
Heaviest Reimbursement Item.
The heaviest reimbursement to
American nationals is that awarded to
American underwriters for losses paid
by them on ships and cargoes de-
stroyed by German submarines It
amounts to roundly $50,O00,000, of
which $14,000,000 represents interest
calculated up to January /, 1927.
american industrial plants, ware
houses, merchandise stocks which
were destroyed or seized by German
military authorities in the war area
constitute some of the numerous other
items in the catalogue of American
claims.
The original value of German pri-
vate property seized by the United
States is estimated by German officials
as exceeding $500, 100000. Large parts
Of those assets have been released by
the alien property custodian, either
because they were held illegally or be-
lopged to neutrals or residents in for
mer German territory which was lost
10 Germany through the treaty of
Versailles. @&
Big Claim in Ship Seizures.
One OF the largest claims held
against the American Government by
German nationals is that for about
100 German ships seized in American
ports. They were commercial vessels
with An approximate gross tonnage of
soc, 900. In q suit brought before the
United States Court of Claims the Ger
1nan owners placed the value of the
fleet at approximately $500, 200.
Among the vessels were the pick of
the North German Lloyd and Ham
burg American passenger feet. The
value of the German radio station at
Sayville, Long Island. and of various
German patents taken by the Ameri-
can Government also awaits adjudi-
cation.
There is an apparent desire on the
part both of counsel for American
claimants and German nationals to
show a mutually accommodating atti-
tude in order to bring about speedy
settlement.
IT is believed that with the aid Of a
congressional appropriation Of $780,
600 900, to which would be added $26,-
100000 unalloeated interest accruing
from German private property and
S24 100000 to be credited to the United
States on September 1, 1927, on &C.
tions under the Dawes plan, a suffi.
Cient fund would be made availabel to
dispose at once of all awards to Amer.
ican nationals under $780, 900. They
constitute Sc per cent of the total
number of American claims against
Germany.