Allies Receive Germany’s Pledge on Indemnity to Nazi Victims

England, France and the United States have received a formal pledge from Western Germany that Germany will abide by its obligations to indemnify victims of Nazi persecution. That was revealed here today with publication of letters and protocols exchanged at the end of the recent Paris conference among the three Western Powers and Germany.

In identical letters to German Chancellor Adenauer, the high commissioners of the three Western nations wrote that their governments had “noted assurances” that Germany would carry out the obligations it had undertaken two years ago in an agreement with Britain, France and the United States. The letters to Adenauer, however, make it clear that, now, those German obligations will be undertaken “voluntarily.” They also note Germany’s agreement to permit Allied observers to check the progress of indemnification for non-German nationals and residents of countries other than Germany.