The sun., 1918-11-11
ALBERT BALLIN, SHIP
LINE DIRECTOR, DIES
Was Close Friend of Kaiser,
but Doubtful Of Wars Out
come From Outset.
OPPOSED U-BOAT PIRACY
Wrote That 1t Would Force
America Into Conflict and
Insure Defeat.

CoPHSHAoEN. Nov. 1o.-An announce
ment made in Berlin states that Albert
BALM. for many years general director
OF the Hamburg american Steamship
Line. died suddenly on Saturday.
Albert Ballin, dominant figure In the
German shipping world. was born in
Hamburg, August IL, 1857. His early
education was obtained in the local in
situations, and when he finished the ele-
mentsry courses he was sent to schoo,
for commercial training.
Upon the completion OF the schedule
maintained by that school he went to
England. where he continued his general
study OF business. In 1885 after sew
eral years OF English training BALM
returned to Hamburg and entered the
employ Of a traction company in Ham
burg.
After a brief experience a. an execu-
tive in this field he began his career in
the shipping world as a forwarding
agent on his own account.
Rapid Rise in shipping World.
The young agent indicated soon that
he was on the road to success. as he fer
reted out any moves the big shipping
concerns might make and thwarted
them. This resulted in his being taken
into the offices OF the Hamburg Amer
loan Line In 1856, and he was placed In
charge of the company's cabin depart
ment. He introduced several innova-
TONS and was made n director OF the
line In 1900 His aggressive personal
lily and shrewd business ability earned
for him the director-genefars chair.
which corresponds to the position Of
chairman OF the board OF directors in
American concerns.
BALM was n close personal friend OF
Wilhelm H.. who was supposed 10 own
a considerable block of stock in the
Hamburg American Line. and as gen.
eral director OF the line plunged II into
cut rate steamship war. which was de-
cried by the German press in 1905 and
1907 as suicidal.
A year later the same press came
forth with approval OF Bsllin's action
as his company became stronger and
sent It's business getting agents to more
widespread districts throughout the world
turbance was a fight against the Brit
ish Cunard Line. which had lowered the
transatlantic passenger rate.
Regarded War AS senseless.
After the world war began Ballin was
generally considered, both here and
abroad, as no warm supporter Of the
Imperial German war programme, and
IN several instances he was reported to
have called Il senseless conflict.
Confusing reports and rumors filtered
through the German lines about the
shipping lords activities and express
sions OF sentiment on the war When
the United States entered the war 1t was
reported through English sources that
a letter written by Balm to DR.. Rathe-
nau. Privy Councillor. had been inter-
cepted.
in that letter follows:
you and /. dear Herr Privy Council
Tor. were never advocates OF this fatal
policy OF unrestricted submarine war;
fare You will remember how ] went to
Berlin 10 seek to stay the hand OF the
authorities. I begged them TO reflect,
and they told me the country insisted
upon II. This was not true. pointed
out how 1t would inevitably draw the
United States into the conflict. They
pooh-poohed me. smiled at the States
and scorned her threat. Do they smile
now? Let me tell you that In my
opinion the entry OF the United States
into this struggle may spell absolute
disaster for us"
There was sonle question at the time
AZ to the genuinenees OF the letter, and
there were those among Rallin's friends
In this country. who are many. that
stated unequivocally that Il was not.
Nevertheless, II was admitted quite gem
orally that BALM knew America and
Americans. and that he realized and
could foresee what the entrance OF this
country into the war would mean 10
Germany.
When the different political leaders
In the German War party were being
advanced and deposed rapidly there were
persistent runors that Balm. who had
resigned from the Hamburg American
line. would be appointed to various i'm.
portant posts. For q time he acted al
Of German Railroads.
then he was reported as n probable sue
cessor TO Or. Richard Won Kuhlmann
Still later dispatches stated that he had
been exlled because OF his AnElophile
sentiments.
Az the Kaiser's friend Ballin had bean
decorated with many orders. and he was
member OF the principal shipping and
allied industrial associations in Ger
MANY, His home addrass SC. ~,