The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1916-04-13
BREITUNG SEEKING
TIED UP VESSELS
Suggests Leasing Of German,
Austrian and English
Craft in L. ).
NEUTRAL TRADE Tagging

Edward N. Breitune. banker and cop.
Hamburg American Steamship Company
the steamer DaciA, which afterward was
seised bv the French, outlined yesterday
. plan for utilization Of all the tied NJ
German. Austrian and English ships.
He would have these ships released 30
that they could he used In trade between
America and South America and be-
tween this country and the Far EAST.
Speaking about the plan yesterday in
lis ONCE. IL Pine street. Mr.. Breitung
said that he and his associates were
rady TO nance . syndicate to taxi over
the ships. His suggestion was to lease
the ships. for which anywhere from
100000 to 100000 would be 70.
CURED. lie did not believe that Eng.
land ever would consent to such an ar
rangemcnt and would insist. II she
agreed at all. that the ships be sold a.
auction.
u want II distinctly understood" said
Mr.. Breitung. that I do not represent
n Of the bclligercnt Governments in
this matter. II IL simply q suggestion
made because Of the necessity that pre-
walls for ships. and because Of an un.
oh,cial report emanatins from England
mat II might be possible for neutrals
V take over intet!nsd tonnage.
Chance Lost % U. 3.
This country. because Of the lack Of
ships, IL losing great opportunity. Be-
Of tho war German and English
trade with South America has been cut
oR-Gcrman absolutely. England greatly
reduced. The United States Ii not in
the position to seize the opportunity b.
cause Of ths lack Of ships. For the amt
reason We cannot hnl orders from Asia
and the Far East We are losing hun.
1reds Of millions Of dollars In trade that
Vould b ours II We had the ships.
"This war IL likely TO last . long
time: ! would say ten years. Meantime
our trade with South America is prAG.
ticaily paralyxed. Prices Of food sup.
plies are increasing both here and IN
England through lack Of ships. The
need Of ships In brought out emphatically
by the cost Of transportation. For In.
stance. I bought q ship several mopths
ago. and already with the contracts I
nave made for s~hipment--so high M
the shipping rates-I expect to pay
for that ship out Of b profits Of
seven months. 1t may seem like rob.
gers are simply o~utbidding one another
20 get transportation facilities.
my plan 10 to use these ships Tor
the handling Of food supplies and other
non.ccntraband articles. While many
men are making enormous fortunes out
1T the war through sale OF war supplies
the great mass Of business men are
suffering. While steamships are jammed
with materials and railroads have de-
York still other lines OF business. no
connected with sending supplies to the
Allies, are suffering.
Sees million Dollar Trade.
IT. however. the South American and
the Asiatic trade situations could be de-
veloped there would be opportunities
for other lines Of business and We could
develop q lasting prosperity. II We could
get ships for temporary use We might do
q billion dollar trade with South America
and the F'ar East before the war ends.
THE scheme In not to put tho ships
under the American nag. for that would
entail higher cost Of operation, but We
could put them under the Brazilian or the
Cuban flag. II the plan could be worked
out satisfactorily not only would the
Austrian and German ships be released
but there are several English ships. In
GLIDING the Appam. that would be avail.
able.
II know that Austria already has Of
fered seven ships to a certain concern
IN this city. At present Germany will
not listen TO the project. She Ii cocky,
saying that she has been winning, but II
en- arrangement could be made with
Austria It Is likely that Germany
would fall in line. Furthermore. such
q step might be q movement toward
peace"
Mr.. Breitung said that his proposals
already have been submitted to the
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