WAR DAMAGE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 17986, 1 February 1924, Page 9

WAR DAMAGE.

REBUILDING FRANCE. THE DISPUTED CLAIMS. (B¥ CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION' CQPIWGIIT.) (AUSTRAUAH AND K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received January 31st, 8.5 p.m.) PARIS, January 31. There was a further stormy debate oil tho Bill providing for thes revision of. all war damage claims exceeding 500,000 francs. Most of the Deputies, in a heated, temper, determined to deliver speeches which would reach their constituents. Despite ca.t-calls and interruptions, the opponents of the Bill argued that t/he revision of claims already paid: meant the revision of judicial decisions, whichwould undermine tho foundations of French law. Many deputations from tho devastated arqas declared that the scandals had been grossly exaggerated and that, though some large claimants might have been overpaid, many poor people had been underpaid. Tho Hadieals and Socialists were ready with fresh documents to prove that tho State had been treated as a milch cow, not only by actual losers, hut also by buyers, of their rights. BILL PASSED. (AUSTBAiIAU AXD U.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) [ (Received January 31st, 11,45 p.m.) , PARIS, January 31. In the debate on tho War Damages: Bill an instsnco was given of a- company which bought a wrecked sugar refinery for 335 francs, claimed 10,000,000 francs damages from tho Government, and aotually 7,000,000 francs. ' _ / After M. Poincare intervened in support q£ the revision of claims, tho Bin passed by a largo majority. '