Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-11-16

New Ofk, NOV. l5,-EQWaTu N. ,
Hurley, chairman of the United
States shipping board, announced
here tonight on the eve Of his depart
ure for Europe that the government
intends to return to this country
speedily large part of the American
expeditionary forces. The purpose of
Mr.. Hurley's trip to Europe IS to ar
range the details for their transpor-
tation.
To offset the loss OF transport ton
mage through the withdrawal of Brit
ish ships hitherto engaged in carrying
American soldiers overseas, Mr.. Hur-
ley hopes to utilize twenty-five or
thirty German and Austrian liners,
with accommodation for 1000 men
each In compensation for the loan"
of these vessels, he said, food would
be sent to the people of central Eu-
rope on their return voyages.
Mr.. Hurley said the shipping board
would be able to bring troops back
at the rate of 100000 a month, "if
the war department wants them re-
turned as fast as that" He would
meet General Pershing at American
field headquarters, he added, to dis
cuss the details of their homecoming.
While he will go abroad with Her.
bert Hoover, federal food adminis-
traitor, TO cooperate in arms for the
shipment and distribution of food
stuffs to regions liberated under the
armistice terms and in degree later
to be determined to Germany and
Austria, Mr. Hurley said his mission
had primarily to do with getting the
boys back home"
Convalescent wounded. including
many men who would have returned
to the battle front had the war con-
tinued. would be the first troops
brought out of France. he said They
would be followed by units of various
branches of the service, following
plans already partly worked out by
Secretary Baker and the general
staff.
Future Developments Govern.
On future developments in the in
| ternal affairs of Germany and Aus
tria and their relations with the al
lies, the shipping official added, to-
I gether with the trend of European
events in general, would depend the
number OF troons to be brought to
| this country within the next few
months, but. he was preparing, he
stated, to transport large contingents.
There are s!Xty-seven transports
/ flying the American flag Mr.. Hurley
said, and it is hoped that these, with
| German and Austrian liners which he
anticipates using temporarily. Will
suffice to bring American soldiers
home as rapidly as the military au-
thorities desire. If their capacity
proves inadequate, he added, the
! shipping board has l25 double-declt
cargo vessels, some of which can be
/ transformed for transport work. He
is reluctant, however to Withdraw
these from freight service except in
an emergency. Mr. Hurley said he
would take up with the allied mari
time transport council in London,
which would in turn confer with the
German and Austrian maritime au-
thorities the question of utilizing some
of the idle tonnage of the central
powers. There were fifteen liners at
Hamburg and Bremen, he stated, and
ten or fifteen in Austrian ports, which
could carry in the aggregate 100000
men on each voyage to American
ports, returning with food or other
necessary cargoes,
British transports, he stated which
have carried 60 per cent of Inc
! American troops bound overseas since
| he military program was increased
| early last summer, will be utilizeo
to convey British dominion and CO.
lonial troops back to their home
countries.
Mr.. Hurley said that present plans
call for his return with Mr.. Hoover
before Christmas. They will sail or
the olympic tomorrow. going first tt
London for three days conference
| with food and shipping officials. From
there they will go to Paris to meet au-
thorities of the allied and American
| governments in direct touch with the
rationing and shipping situation OF
the continent.
To Continue Ship Program.
Commenting on the government
plan to continue the emergency snip
building to help make up the world
dificit of 20,000,000 tons brough
about through the ravages OF war
4 Mr. Hurley said American yards VII
produce $50 vessels of 100000 tom
aggregate during November and De
cember. Another 100000 tons of car
go carriers would be released, he ad
ded by completion on or before Janu
airy / of voyages in the nitrate trade
which will be discontinued as a resul
|, Oh the CESSATION VI
on large scale
Mr.. Hurley declared that his boart
hopes to return ships in the service O
the war department and vessels unde
its own charter engaged in govern
, ment trade to the regular commerela
channels channels within a year. Tn
shipping board would continue, he as
! serted, it's policy of paying American
wages and would conduct country
! wide propaganda to attract men to tn
merchant marine. A feature of thi
plan. he said. is the preparation CT
textbook on ships and shipping whicl
will be introduced in she publ
schools.
"Having spent billions in building Al
/, American merchant marine" declare
Mr.. Hurley with ships equippe
with quarters fit for Americans W
! propose to carry on the work we hav
begun. All we ask is that manufac
: urers take advantage of their oppor
tunity and provide the cargoes neces
? sarv to keep these vessels at sea-
He nredicted that within five year
, III OOO 0gO men will be engaged in oper
Eatine the merchant fleet Including OF
) ficers and seamen, shipyard worker
I ara men and women in factoric
Il making marine equipment.
|, Plans Not Definite.
II Washington. Nov, 1.-THE war Dc
I partment has made no definite plan
/ for The return of theSAmerican expe
81 ditionary forces to the United State
y It was learned tonight, and II Is nc
regarded as likely that the movemen