The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-04-12
TO USE INTERNED SHIPS.
Hundred German Merchantmen TAX
en- Over BY United States.

final decision has not been reached,
indications after today's cabinet
meeting were that nearly hundred
German merchant vessels taken over
in different ports today will be re-
garded as the property of the Ameri-
can government and paid for after
the war.
The vessels laid up in American
harbors for safety at the outbreak
of the war in Europe were seized to-
day Immediately after the houses
passage of the war resolution. Their
crews will be removed to immigra-
tion detention stations, there to be
treated as aliens, admissible to the
country if able to pass the ordinary
immigration tests. The fact that
many are naval reservists will not
serve to bar them.
There were indications today that
damage done to the ships by their
crews when relations between the
United States and Germany were
broken will be repaired as early as
possible and the ships put into the
transatlantic trade to transport sup
plies to the allies.
The total tonnage could not be
built in American yards in less than
year and some of the largest ships,
notably the Vaderland, could not be
produced in the United States in sew
eral years.
Will Be Dry Docked.
All of the ships will have to be dry
docked before they can be made sea-
worthy. Bureau of navigation Of
ficials pointed today to practical diff
fculties that will delay repairs in
that the ships will fill the country's
dry docks for some time to come.
The great Vaderland, with a tonnage
of $4,000, is too large to enter any
of the American dry docks and will
have to be towed to Balboa to be
docked. The earliest time estimated
to put any of the vessels into service
is three months. Many of them can
not be repaired that soon.
For Protection.
A final decision as to the disposi-
tion of the ships probably will be
made within a few days. A brief
statement issued by the treasury de-
partment today said they were being
taken in charge for the purpose of
protecting them and other property.
Officials said an intelligent use''
would be made of the vessels and
that they either could be used as
naval auxiliaries or as merchant
ships. Most of them would make ex-
cellent troop transports. Fourteen
of the largest and swiftest could car
ry 10000 troops, which, is twice as
many as could be transported by the
entire available American merchant
fleet.
Some Officials Differ.
Some officials said today that the
ships could not be taken over by the
United States formally and put into
service without an act of congress.
They said also that there was strong
likelihood that if put into service
they would be operated by the ship
ping board, which, under the law, is
authorized to charter and operate
ships.
Would Take Three Months.
If the German ships are taken for
service by the United States most of
them, it was said at the department
of commerce today, could be put into
service within three to four months.
If the United States decides to send
an army to Europe the ships will
prove invaluable. Fourteen can car
ry at a speed faster than fourteen
merchant fleet available
can carry only about 10000 troops
at less speed.
Bureau of navigation officials said
today that use of the German ships
would add 200 per cent. to this ceun-
try's ability to land trained men in
effective numbers in Europe.
Most of the fast German liners are
built as naval auxiliaries with gun
platforms, reinforced decks and
steering gear below the water line.
Actual seizure of the vessels for
military purposes, officials say, will
greatly strengthen the American
fleet. The use of American ships as
transports would withdraw just that
much tonnage from the transport OF
to the allies and would i'm