Goldmann Reports on Talks with Adenarer; New Compensation Bill Due

Nazi victims who formerly lived in the territory of what is now East Germany would be able to benefit from a new regulation for payment of compensation to individuals which will be presented to the West German Parliament next month, Dr. Nahum Goldmann, chairman of the Jewish Agency and president of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, said upon his arrival here today. Dr. Goldmann, who will attend the forthcoming meetings of the Zionist Actions Committee, expected to be in Israel about two weeks.

Dr. Goldmann revealed that he had met German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer Saturday while both were vacationing in Switzerland. The two statesmen discussed the new proposal for individual compensation as well as proposals for making better use of the terms of the German reparations pact. The former residents of areas in East Germany have, heretofore, been unable to benefit from any compensation regulations in West Germany.

Asked about the possibilities of Israel-German diplomatic relations, Dr. Goldmann said that he had gained the impression, during his talks with Dr. Adenauer, that Germany was ready for such a step, but that the German authorities understand the delicacy of the question and would not, therefore, initiate a move in this direction.

Turning to the Austrian restitution-compensation program, he said that after agreement is reached, Austria will set up a $22,000,000 fund, under a trustee arrangement, for the distribution of funds to an estimated 15,000 to 17,000 families. He expressed the view that the Austrian agreement was an improvement on the German plan because it provided for payment of compensation in a lump sum, while the Germans were paying in installments.