Liquidated Ex-Enemy Property On Thursday, November 21st, in the House
of Commons, Mr. Snowden refused to return to Germany any further sums out of the £14,000,000 remaining from liquidated property of ex-enemy nationals. The claim which he rejected is primarily based on the practice before the Great War. If the tradition has been broken, however, it was broken by the Treaty of Versailles, which per- mitted the expropriation of ex-enemy property, and by the Dawes Plan. It is• more than likely, moreover, that it was broken in intention by the experts who drew up the Young Plan, though the Committee set up by the Hague Conference has refused to pronounce on the question, and has referred it back to the Governments. Mr. Snowden's position, therefore, seems to be legally sound. Great Britain has returned £5,000,000 in " com passionate allowances," and has offered to release a further £5,000,000, which at least puts her in a better position morally than any other country on this question. Whether we should be wise, or can afford, to be generous once more is a question which, we are sure, Mr. Snowden fully considered before giving his answer, and will con- sider again during his negotiations with the German Government. * * ** •
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