not, therefore, be deemed to give rise to "damages caused by the American military forces" within any possible meaning of section 1 of the act approved April 18, 1918. The Netherlands Government brought the claims to the attention of the department in a note dated May 27, 1920, and has persistently pressed the matter since that date. The department referred the matter to both the War and Navy Departments and inquired whether those departments were still of the opinion that without reference to the question of legal liability a compassionate allowance should be made to the injured persons and whether they would be willing to support any recommendation which might be made by this department to Congress regarding the matter. The War Department replied in a letter dated July 30, 1923, with the suggestion that in the event the State Department desired that a recommendation be made to the Congress, the Navy Department take the action to support such recommendation, provided the Navy Department believes that a payment should be made in the case. The Navy Department replied in a letter dated May 15, 1923, that should the Department of State recommend to the Congress that an appropriation be made to pay to each of the claimants the sum of $500 as a compassionate allowance and the bill should be referred to the Navy Department for a report, favorable action thereon would be recommended. I have the honor to suggest, therefore, that you recommend to the Congress that as an act of grace and without reference to the question of the legal liability of the United States, an appropriation in the sum of $1,000 be authorized to effect a settlement of these claims, $500 of which is to be paid to Mr. Arend Kamp and $500 to be paid to Mr. Francis Gort. It may be stated that the claim was brought to the attention of the Sixty-ninth Congress in a message from the President dated December 21, 1925, which is printed in Senate Document No. 26, Sixty-ninth Congress, first session. It will be noted from the inclosed communication from the Director of the Budget, to whom the matter was referred, that the proposed action is not in conflict with the financial program of this Government. Respectfully submitted. The PRESIDENT, FRANK B. Kellogg. The White House. BUREAU OF THE BUDGET, MY DEAR MR. SECRETARY: I have from Assistant Secretary of State Carr a letter dated December 6, 1927, inclosing copy of a proposed communication to the President recommending that Congress be requested to authorize an appropriation of $1,000 for the payment of two claims of $500 each presented by the Government of the Netherlands for compensation for personal injuries sustained by two Netherland subjects, Arend Kamp and Francis Gort, while the U. S. S. Canibas was loading, on May 1, 1919, at Rotterdam, and asking that I indicate whether the action proposed in the communication is in harmony with the financial policy of the President. In reply I have to advise you that the proposed request for legislation authorizing an appropriation of $1,000 for the purpose stated is not in conflict with the financial program of the President. Very truly yours, The SECRETARY OF STATE. LEGAL RIGHTS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE OF ALABAMA IN THE MUSCLE SHOALS PROJECT MEMORANDUM OPINION FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL RELATIVE TO THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF THE UNITED STATES IN THE MUSCLE PRESENTED BY MR. McNARY JANUARY 4, 1928.---Ordered to be printed UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON |