The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1918-12-20
PRESIDENT BUSY
WITH HURLEY ON
SHIPPING PLANS
Varied Problems Confronting
Wilson and His Aides in Re-
gard to Situation Which
Embraces Food Distribution
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
The News Sclmltar's Special Core
%spondent.

SPOllACNAs
PARIS, Dec. 20.-President Wilson
and Edward n. Hurley, chairman of
the United States shipping board, are
~canVassing the shipping situation,
which embraces numerous phases OF
world reconstruction trade, economic
recuperation and food distribution.
The allies are getting ready to ask
the central powers to turn over the
German n Austrian merchant ton
mage to carry food any place where the
allies want TO send it, but the Ameri-
can position remains undetermined UNI
til it is agreed how the distribution OF
food is to be administered.
Some Austrian ships have already been
requisitioned by Italy, through misun-
Outstanding, and hen Italian crews
endeavored to man other Austrian yes
sells, in Spanish ports, the French and
British naval commanders persuaded
them not to do so, Such mtsunder.
standings are now being Strengthened
out in the conferences here.
Another vital question is the desire
Of the allies to begin Immediately a
large amount Of new construction in
tioularly, are anxious to build up their
merchant marine, so as not to be at
the mercy of other nations in freight
rates. Here a league of nations and
freedom of the seas would protect them,
but until absolutely assured that such
| al oC9ONiNAAti 10 bOAhb " w bHN 49,
effect they feel the necessity OF plac-
ing orders.
The problem which Mr.. Wilson must
decide is to what use American ship
yards are to be placed, and he has not
determined whether our facilities will
navy and merchant fleet, assuming that
no agreement be made with respect to
a league of nations, or whether Amer
lea can afford to open her shipyards,
as well as her other resources to the
world, feeling that there will be no
determinations abroad against Ameri-
can industry, or other barriers, because
all countries will have agreed TO act
in a league of nations with equal OPP
%portunities.
An important conference Is planned
for today, at which Mr., Hurley, Lord
Reading, the French minister Of COM
merce, and the Italian marine repre-
sentative will seek to determine what
will be required Of Germany and Aus
tria with respect to their merchant tom
mage. Unquestionably, 1t will be used
somewhat for the carrying Of food, but
the allies want a free hand, so as to
be able to send these ships to various
parts of the world, using vessels of
their own to transport food to needy
areas. The president is very much in
terested in getting American cargo
ships, hitherto used to carry war ma
terial to Europe, released to meet the
demand Of American exporters and i'm
porters for the resumption Of normal
trade.
Tieups with questions Of shipping are
vital matters with respect to access to
raw materials and apparently the out
come of the informal meetings between
Mr.. Wilson and leaders of the entente
powers in the course Of the next 10
days will guide the president in shap-
ing American policy. In the meantime
Mr.. Hurley and our special shipping
commissioner, Thomas +. Logan, Of
Washington, are discussing with Lord
Reading and representatives Of Italy
and France solutions of the veXed
problems, with the expectation of reach
ing definite agreements by the first OF
January.
| Copyright, 1918, by the New York Eve
ming Post, Inc)