Evening star., 1926-03-13
RETURN IS SOUGHT
Of ALIEN PROPERTY
Congress Soon to Get Plan
Designed to DO Justice to
U.S. and Germans.
By FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.

Congress is about to be asked to pro-
vide ways and means for the restora-
ton of the War-seized German prop
erty remaining in the hands of the
alien property custodian. AZ the same
time full provision VIII - sought TOT
satisfaction Of the claims or the United
states Government and American ma
tionals against the former enemy
country.
A new plan designed TO do justice
both 10 American claimants and TO
Germany has been worked out by the
Treasury Department. As soon as II
has been GRATED into The form of bills
and approved by the President the en-
pectation is that they VIII be slmul.
faneously introduced IL House ana
Senate. The administration is anX-
1ous for action regarding the German
property at the earliest possible mo-
ment. It is not unlikely that con-
sideration and decision may be re-
auested soon after the Italian DEBT
settlement is out of The way.
Contrary TO popular knowledge, con
si6erablv more thar one.halt of the
total amount OF German and Austro-
Hungarian property seized by the
United States has already been re
stored to its original owners Ihe
total amount was originally 1855 1852,
412. Up 20 January 81. 1925. there
had been restored funds and property
totaling $307 .o96. .o01. This leaves in
he allen property cuStodian's hands
assets aEgregating f249,756.46o, eX-
elusive OF S3l ,0o0 coo OF undiStributed
interest that has accumulated since
1917. Eventually $280,7o6.465 must be
accounted for il and when Congress,
which has the sole right OF disposal
Of the alien property, votes its restora-
tion.>
May BE Kept as Security.
Under the peace treaty between the
United states and Germany. the assets
held by the alien property custodian
may be retained as security for pay
awarded by the Americana
Mixed Claims Commission. To Japu.
ary !, 1926. the total amount OF
awards aggregated approximately
&ls0, 900. 900. OF that amount about
$50 900, 900 represents awards 10 the
Tinted States on Government claims
for loss OF ships owned by the Ship
ping Board and other Government
agencies and insurance losses OF the
Veterans Bureau.
Awards TO American nationals ac-
count for roundly Sl2o,0Oo,o0O. The
work Of the claims commission is 30
per cent completed. It has been esti
mated that total awards finally will
be between $4,000, 900 and s25o,ooo.-
600. There IL thus III the alien prop
nrty cuStodian's possession just about
the exact value OF the American
claims that require to be satisfied.
Early in December. 1925, Secretary
Mellon made public Treasury
plan" for the settlement OF alien
property and other related questions.
The plan in the meantime has under
gone some internal financing changes.
\ scheme has been abolished where
by speculation In German gold marks
might have been possible. But the
plans basic proposals are about to be
submitted to Congress for legislative
action without important alterations.
Policy Up to Congress-.
1t is not, of course. within the
province of the Secretary OF the
Treasury TO dictate what form ac
alone to determine the policy re-
spcctinS the private property OF
former enemy nationals. II House
and Senate should decide that 1t
could not be taken directly or indi-
rectly for obligations OF the German
government, then there would be no
alternative but to return the prop
erty. Senator Borah has advocated
Just such action, contending It Is q
violation OF American traditions ana
practice 10 make enemy individuals
responsible for the obligations OF
1heir governments.
The Treasury Departments interest
is attributed TO the desire to protect
American claimants in tho event Con-
gress should decide that the private
property of enemy nationals cannot
be used TO satisfy American claims
against Germany. Secretary Mellon
feels that unless some comprehensive
plan is adopted without further delay
the German property now in our pos
session might be returned without
any regard 10 the $3.50 100000 or
American claims awaiting satisfaction.
The Treasury plan provides for the
return of alien property and payment
Of American claims by means Of
$3.50, 100000 bond issue. guaranteed
by tho United States. The purpose is
to accomplish Cd the prompt pay
anent Of private American claims:
(2) return to German and Austrian
nationals Of their property or its sub
stantial equivalent; t3) determination
OF the amounts and payments OF the
claims of the German owners OF
ships, radio stations and patents. and
(4) the imposition OF no new burden
on the Treasury or the American tax
payer.
The plan has the approval OF all in
terestS affected. including the German
government. Barring the adoption by
Congress Of some such arrangement
Treasury officials are doubtful II
American claims will be satisfied at
any time in the visible future.
tCopyright. lo26.)
s.WILD WnMENv MANAGER