Refugees Urged to Claim Their Property in Germany Before Expiration of 1948 Deadline

Joel H. Fisher, American Joint Distribution Committee general counsel in Europe, today issued an emphatic reminder to former residents of Germany that it will soon be too late to make claims on non-German currency and security assets still being held in that country.

December 31 of this year has been fired as the deadline for such claims, he pointed out, noting also that, under an agreement concluded between American, British and French military governments, the regulations apply to all non-German nationals, both Jewish and non-Jewish.

Insufficient publicity on the deadline date, Fisher declared, has left too many emigrants now living in Israel, the United States and other countries, ignorant of their rights. Prompt action is required is required if they are still to qualify for their rightful property, he added. Currency and securities involved are those being held in Germany under the terms of Military Government Law No. 53. Only non-German currency, and securities expressed in non-Gorman currency, are involved.

For applications to warrant consideration, army regulations provide that they must be accompanied by evidence of ownership and proof that the property is free of external and internal restitution claims. Once title to a claim has been granted, the non-resident owner is free to remove his property from the country.

All applications for recognition of title should be sent to the office of the Finance Advisor, ONGUS, APO 742, U.S. Army, if the property is located in the American zone. British zone claims should be filed with the British Finance Division, and those located in the French zone of Germany should be addressed to the French Finance Division.