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Show . Claims of Americans Against Germany o 9 VVW:) A 1ULI. to provide for the payment of American claims against Germany Ger-many has been Introduced in the senate sen-ate by Senator Underwood (Ala.), Democratic leader. It is provided that American claims shall be adjudicated by a commission, nnd unless otherwise satisfied paid out of the German property in accordance ac-cordance with the provisions of the Versailles treaty and the separate treaty of peace between the United States and Germany. The bill creates a commission to be known as the enemy property claims commission, composed of six commissioners commis-sioners to be appointed by the President, Presi-dent, by and with the advice and convent con-vent of the senate. The commission would have practically all the powers of a United States court. Any question ques-tion of sufficient importance to warrant war-rant such action would be settled by the Supreme court. The German property Is to be classified clas-sified and American claims paid out of the several classes of property in their order, each class to be exhausted before the fut.ds of another class are touched. Tudur UU pljn the property of the German government itself will be first used to pay American claims, and only when that is exhausted will the property prop-erty of German subjects be used to satisfy American claims. Claims of American citizens against Germany have been filed with the Stnts department to the amount of nearly $1,000,000,000. It is estimated that just claims amount to at least $400,-000,000. $400,-000,000. Mr. Underwood said that the German Ger-man government, committing its nationals, na-tionals, had consented that congress should determine the matter. More than a year had passed by since our treaty of peace with Germany wa signed and he thought the tima had come when congress should act. |