The sun., 1918-03-08
GREAT GERMAN
VHARVES HERE
WILL BE SOLD
All Other Property Held by
kaiser's Friends Slated
for Same Fate.
NEW SPY BILL DRASTIC
Palmer Denies Intention of
Applying Principle to Every
TcutOn Holding.
Special Despatch TO THs srS

SrrctdI Despdfch 10 IHb Sun.
WASHINGTON, March :. - German
--cperty in the United states. in cases
where the owners appear TO be close to
the Kaiser. will not be held in trust dur
Ing the war by the Alien Property Gus
,ai.an but will be sold for cash by the
t'ated States Government The purpose
u tbs plan IS to prevent the Kaiser
from retaining any vantage point in this
coan;ry in the gu.sc Of commercial In
'rcsts which might be utilized for secret
German propaganda work.
The first step in this plan will be the
sac OF the North German Lloyd and
Han burg American piers in Hoboken,
svned by New Jersey corporations,
whose stock. however. is held by Ger
nan aliens closely affiliated with the
Herlin Government. An investigation Is
asjer way to determine whether certain
or'e Industrial concerns owned by Ger
MANS come within the same category.
Authority to convert such properties
10 cash and vest their ownership for
he future at safe distance from the
Naiser Is conveyed to the Government
'rac.ency bill and the trading with the
H-ry act. reported by the Senate Com
I,,tse on Appropriations to-day at the
instance OF the Administration.
Power Given President.
Ono OF these would authorize the Pres
dsnt 30 acquire title to the docks.
ri.rs, warehouses, wharves and termi-
a equipment and facilities on the
fildson now owned by the North Ger
nan Lloyd Dock Company and the Ham,
Jug American Terminal and Naviga-
'or Company, two corporations of the
STATE Of New Jersey" The amendment
10 the trading with the enemy act in
vests the custodian OF alien property
With authority to sell all enemy prop
s:,y IN his hands. whereas now ne is
'npowered to sell only where it is re-
q1red 10 prevent waste and prc.oct the
p-operty.
Tie reporting Of these amendments to-
day led to a rumor that IL was the plan
q the Government Immediately to dis
7ose of all property owned by Germans
H. Ills country. but this later was de-
Ia by y. Mitchell Palmer. the alien
"rcpsrty custodian. In a statement Mr..
Amer said
There is no thought or purpose of
5arging the character OF the ordinary
.vcstment in America OF the enemy
'l9iect res.ding in enemy territory.
'gth Investments will be continued as
a present except when necessary TO
event waste or protect the property.
When sales may take place. II the
'herdments reported by the Senate Ap-
"opria.ons Committee become law the
over o. sale win be exercised by the
ZN4fE
SIMILAR " tina; Of the steamship lines.
NAere n" enemy ownership Of great in
'G'rlsl and commercial concerns in the
'Hi,ed States indicates a close affiliation
Hhh the financial and political powers
IN the enemy country
SSstem May He Expanded.
Despite this statement Of Mr.. Palmer.
ere is q we'll founded belief that the
dvernnent ultimately will find way
~ W'nch many alien enemy properties
~ earning large war profits Will find
ler WAY into the hands OF American
stockholders.
y IS pointed out that under the terms
lie trading with the enemy act and
ne proposed amendment thereto the
H'od'an ot alien enemy property could
'ssoSe % tho property OF the aliens at
lar price, placing the interest of the
.''7 IN r"w hands and investing the
ms aH.ruing thcrefrom in American
'9EernTeat securities.
~ II course OF acton would leave
>" German property holder with the
!" amount Of his capital intact, but
F'Wo1id oe eliminated as a factor in
'M'r"an Industrial life by this same
i'pesS', and once out OF such Industrial
N-..
" 'e"I"red infinitely more difficult.
Would He Powerful Weapon.
whether or not the tremendous powers
''ff the property OF enemy aliens which
e amendments are designed to effect
WI 10 used Immediately or at all is left
'p'A as Yet to question. but legislators
-rHa'k that the powers nevertheless are
"onosed ard il granted would furnish
~ i HIt"d states with another powerful
reapoH to use rgainst the Imperial Ger
man Government
=, WIN regard to the acquisition OF the
n''oA'u properties Of the two German
'a"Sa'iant.c lines Mr.. Palmer's state
.Fh' tonight recited 1.-The Hamburg
amen. an and North German Lloyd
"' are owned by New Jersey cor
''N'oHs I'm which the stock is entirely
"emH Owned and has been turned over
NE H'l"n property custodian. who II
a. 'hS hsS representatives on the board
tors of those companies
va" 'i the reasons for the sudden in ,
'''on Of the question OF the Hoboaen /
.'fs a. this time is known to be the !
.''faF into which these valuable prop-
.r' nave fallen in the course Of the
''N" ana half years since Germany
-dse' - use them except az docking |.
~ ~ her unused ships. The United !
.h'"~ authorities. Nhnc desirous Of |
s't''e in immediate improvements on |
'arHe scale, are unwilling to do so /
Y.'I Y. there is assurance to the United !
"Hs OF It's own rights in such an
Ges,mcnt