Jews Confident of U.S. Interest in Jewish Claims on Austria

Confidence that the United States Government will display “continued and sympathetic interest” in the Jewish claims against Austria was expressed here today by a spokesman of the Committee for Jewish Claims on Austria. In reply to press inquiries concerning the part of the joint U.S.-Austrian communique released by the State Department last week relating to the question of claims, the spokesman said:

“The joint American-Austrian communique released by the State Department does not indicate exactly what claims were involved, whether those of former Austrian nationals victimized by Nazism, or general war claims of American nationals. The Committee wishes to point out that after one and a half years of negotiations, the Austrian Government has failed to make a satisfactory offer for a settlement.

“The Committee is seeking legislative measures to compensate surviving victims of Nazi persecution and a settlement for heirless and unclaimed Jewish. property. The Committee is confident of the U.S. State Department’s continued and sympathetic interest in this matter.”