New-York tribune., 1918-12-20
Lodg ge Asks
Who Ordered
Ships Sunk
Resolution Offered Directs
Secretary of State to
Explain Action Proposed
Nea0 York Tribune
Wcshtnotose Bureu,t

" USittHQtOV DuTeuW
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-The report
that the American peace commission
ers were advocating the sinking in the
ocean Of the German warships recently
surrendered aroused storm of ind;g-
nation in Congressional circles here to-
day, eliminating with the introduction
by the Republican leader of the Senate,
Mr.. Lodge, of the following resolution:
THAT the Secretary of State be
directed to inform the Senate
whether the report that the peace
delegates of the United States at
Paris are advocating the destruc-
tion of the ships Of war surrendered
to the Allies and to the United
States is correct and, if so, by
what authority the delegates to the
peace conference are demanding the
destruction IF enemy property in
part surrendered to the United
States.n
Senator Lodge said: 81 know this is
q recess and there is no opportunity
for morning business, but / have q
Senate resolution of inquiry which I
should like to have read to appear in
the record. shall call it up at the
proper time when we have routine
business.
"It would be interesting to have dis
closed the exact source of this alleged
movement for the destruction of the
surrendered German fleet, and for this
reason resolution is directed to the
Acting Secretary of State" said Sena.
tor Lodge, commenting upon his reso-
luton after leaving the Senate cham
Der.
Ships Belong to Victor
CLEARLY the ships of the German
navy are the property of the victor
nations. 1t is interesting to know
under what authority the delegates t,
the peace conference may assume to b,
acting in proposing the destruction o
the property of the United States.
"The ships should be apportione,
among the nations which have partici
pated in the protection of the com
merce of the world and who, through
their persistent maintenance of the cor
don which held these ships at thei
bases, ultimately compelled their sur
render without firing a shot.
"The German naval vessels are o
modern type, particularly the subma
rines, which undoubtedly are of tn
very latest type, in most instances
But they are all modern warships an,
the suggestion of their being sunk i
one of a childish and idle waste O
highly valuable property.
Naturally, in the apportionment o
the surrendered feet England woul,
get the lions share but France an,
Italy, and also the United States, hav
a property right in this fleet"
Senators Denounce Plan
Comments of some other Senator
were:
Harding: at is unbelievable.
Penrose: "The proposition is ridic
ulous. I cannot imagine any sane PEI
son advocating it. Why should we de
stroy these vessels when we are shor
of tonnage? ?"
Borah: II am utterly opposed to sue
proposition. / do not believe II
President ever approved it. In n
opinion plan Of this kind could n,
have been authorized by any respol
siblc official. If the Germans owe II
Allies and the United States money
certainly is not dishonorable to tai
their ships in payment They cann
make full restitution in thousar
years. Nothing sentimental should il
terfere with taking the ships on a
4 count"