Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-06-29
us. AND BRAZIL ARE
FAVORED IS CLAIM
French Naval League Pro.
tests Distribution of Ger
man Merchant Ships.
BY PAUL SCOTT MOWRER,

BY PAUL SCOTT MOWRER.
Special Cable to The Sunday Star and
Chicago Daily News. Copyright. 1919.
PARIS. June 2s-The French Naval
League has issued a manifesto against
what 1t considers an unwarranted IA
voritism shown Brazil and the United
States in the distribution of the Ger
man merchant ships, whereas the
French claims. in the opinion of the
leagues members should have prior
ity. The following is the essential
part Of the manifesto:
Tells Of Losses.
"Since 1914 France has lost $4,000
tons of shipping through acts of war,
$4,000 tons by shipwreck, and 400, 900
tons by normal wear-in other words
1t has lost two-thirds of its total pre-
war tonnage. Our construction docks
having been exclusively occupied in
furnishing material for the allied
armies. particularly for the American
Army. have been repaired little, and
we have built less than 10000 tons
Of shipping in four years. Our mer-
chant fleet is exhausted.
France. for her revictualment, as for
her export trade. is obliged to depend
on foreign shipping. France pays in
shipping rates to foreign countries
over 1000 100000 francs (S4O0.r00. 0oO)
a year. which Is half Of her total pre-
war budget. These billions. added to
chandfse imported principally from
America for revictualm emf. recon
struction and renewal Of equipment
of the country and to the billions of
francs in interest paid annually to our
foreign creditors weigh upon our ex-
change. increase the cost of living,
paralyze industry and hamper en-
portation. Our sailors. having no
means of earning their living. in de-
fault of ships stay or will stay un-
employed in the ports. Despite victory
we are threatened with ruin Great
Britain will soon have recuperatei
all its losses In shipping, etc. The
present deficit Of its tonnage amounts
merely to a temporary reduction Of
the enormous profits from its sea
trade. Japan, despite the war, has in
creased its marine by $4,000 tons.
The United States has doubled its
merchant marine 1t has lost only
everywhere; 1t has built over 1000, 900
tons and its marine boasts today Of
1870. 900 tons increase. Edward N.
Hurley, chairman of the United States
Shipping Board, on his return from
Europe. could say. I'VE are today
time nation because we possess the
greatest organization for ship con-
struction.
Refers to Brazil.
"As. for Brazil its loss has been
only $4,000 tons. Nevertheless, in the
division of the German fleet the
United States and Brazil are priv
ileged nations. Whereas the other
allies will receive only a small share
Of this fleet. which hardly equals one
third Of the entente's total losses.
they are to keep all German tonnage
which took refuge in their ports.
This amounts to $4,000 tons, or
double its losses. for the United States.
and 100000 tons, or ten times its
losses, for Brazil. Against such in
justice in division and reparation the
Naval Leaguts makes q painful pro-
test to the peace conference"
In conclusion, the League appeals
to the sense of justfe. II all con-
cerned and begs a reviSr,H IT de-
cisions (which would redu1r- -.-:s.-~ ,
erished France to commercial serv1-
tude and would make the beginning
Of the ruin Of France date from the
victory of France"