The Nome nugget., 1949-04-13
CIVILIAN WAR CLAIMS LITIGATI
(By Clarke Beach)

and litigation Tens of thousands of civilians de- manding redress for injuries and losses.
 Certain types of claim already have been approved by Congress- There thousands of others however, questionable cases-which the War Claims Commission will investigate It will then advise Congress to the action which seems justified. These the claims payments which Congress has already authorized:
 1. Detention injury, disability death benefits for persons captured American soil and inerned by the Japanese These the victims Of Guan Wake and the Philippines. The detention benefit amounts to S6O for each month of nternment for persons Is. Those under IS get $25 month.
 In addition, employees of government contractors who captured, primarily the group on Wake, will be paid the regular wages they would have earned If they had been at work instead of in captivity The fed era security administrator is directed to adjudcae the claims of the government employees.
 2. Military personnel who while in Japanese prison camps given the quantity and quality of food which is stipulated in the Geneva Convention of July 27, 1929 They get $1 for each day they ill fed
 Certain religious organizations which remained in Japanese-hed American territory and gave supplies to American prisoners will be reimbursed for their eX- penses These are the only claims the government has recognized up So the vast majority still up in the air. You get idea of how many and various they when you learn that government depart ment has received many 6O0 letters day regard ing civilian War claims.
 The biggest issue which will before the com mission S Can anything be collected by Americans who suffered damage in Asia or Europe? Interna tional law clearly relieves nation from any responsi bity for damage inflicted in the of combat op eraons U. S military units moreover, have their claims units which settle damage claims by natives injured through non-combat activities such being hit by jeep behind the lines
 But what of Americans who continued to live and do business in Europe in Japan the continent of Asia after they had been advised that likely? State department spokesmen have told Congress that they felt ample warning had been given to such persons and that if they persisted in remaining in the threatened it their responsibility.
 They the situation in the Philippines and the other American islands entirely different For fear of alarming the people unnecessarily disruptng normal activities, firm warning given The government thus responsible for their being caught in the
 Another ticklish issue is presented by persons who injured suffered property loss in the attack Pearl Harbor They contend that the had not started, it not combat operation. They had not been warned to leave Hawaii Therefore, they say, they as entitled to damages those in the Philippines
 Some limit has to be set the total damages that be assessed The Japanese nation, largely depend ent American dollars to get back its feet will not pay the bills. The money will come from fund in the Treasury derived from liquidation of German and Jap assets in this country, both government and pr vate property.
 It is estimated that the fund, when finally accumu- lated will amount to from $225 900 to $275