New-York tribune., 1919-07-16
Exporters Advertisement
for Over Atlantic Air
Shipments After Oct. l8
Regarded With Interest
Banker Figures in Case
Hans Kahrs Says He Won't
Reveal Name of Man He
Says Backs Enterprise

Edwin P. Kilroe, Assistant District
Attorney, Of the Bureau of Commercial
Frauds, said yesterday he would re-
quest Hans Kahrs, an exporter, at 4s
Hudson Street, to call on him to-day
to reveal the name of the "American
banker" who, according to Kahrs, is
behind the proposed transatlantic
Zeppelin freight and passenger SER
vice" between this country and Ger
many, which Kahrs's advertisement in
trade and several German language
newspapers states will begin about
October 1S.
Kahrs was questioned yesterday by
Tribune reporter about this intend
ed Zeppelin SERVICE" but except for
the statement that he had been ap-
preached by this "banker" several
days ago to act as freight broker"
in this city for the service. he was
noncommital about all other details
and declined to make public the name
of the "banker."
This and other facts were presented
to Mr.. Kilroe by The Tribune, and he
decided to call Kahrs to explain the
entire matter. All that Mr.. Kilroe
would say about the matter was that
it was Interesting" and that che
would look into it,"
Kahrs's advertisement reads: "Ad-
vance Notice: Commencing Oct 18:
Over Ocean Yep Passenger and For
eign Freight Service, between Duessel-
dorf- Berlin Hamburg New York Bos-
ton Chicago. Booking on and after
Naturalized % Years Ago
Kahrs said he was born in Germany.
but had taken out his first naturaliza-
ton papers shortly after his arrival
IN this country, twenty-five years ago.
he said he was in this country during
the war and helped the Committee on
fubilc information distribute propa-
ganda in the Central Powers,
he was asked how it came about
that he was approached by this "bank-
err to act as freight broker" and he
said he was a friend of the man in
question.
up to several days ago." he said,
II knew nothing at all about this mat
Ter. am IN the export. and import
business (the name Of his irm is the
Monopol Export and Import Union).
ana pa!d little attention to air mat
trrs. Then this friend told me about
inns enterprise and asked whether I
Although did not want to make
qulck decision, he insisted and | ac-
cepted."
Hazy on Rate Question
kahrs was uncertain about the charge
would hn o1I> g.
how much freight would be carried
his opinion was that the rate would
be twice the normal ship freight
cnarge, or about $10O, and he had no
ldea how many passengers could be
carried 'e
According to Kahrs he was given no
in11ormatlon about the type of cargo
that could be carried, but his impress
sion was that $50 tons would be a good
guess IT was also his opinion that
these Zeppelins would have to be much
larger than the R34, as the latter had
carrying capacity of only twenty-one
tons WV
Are these Zeppelns German owned?"
SO far as l know" replied Kahrs
Il am positive that this enterprise is
not German: ! understand that there
is German, British and American can
ltal IN this enterprise"
Peace Treaty Quoted
He was told about the provisions in
the peace treaty that provide that ali
alrplane and balloons that had been
used Tor " ar purposes should be turned
over to the Allies, and that it was stin-
lated that mo dirigible shall be kept"
IN answer to this he said he had moth
ing to do with that part of his enter
prise.
~ have only been offered" he ,aid
the opportunity to become the freight
broker of this enterprise, and nothinr
else" ''''''s
Kahrs suggested, however, that tho
blockade on Germany had been lifted
and 1T was now possible for the Allies
TO trade with Germany under certain
restrictions. 'A'''
What is the name of the man who
is behind this intended enterprise -,
he was asked
81 wouldn't make that name known
he replied firmly, "if had to 90 to Jail
for ten years"
1t is understood that officials in
Washington hint that the service ad.
vertlsed by kahrs would not be ner-
mitted 1t was pointed out that the
peace treaty permits Germany to main
tam until October ! of this wear onlv
a maximum of hundred seanlanes or
flying boats, which shall be used ey-
cluslvely in searching for submarine
mines. ''e
1t was said the only dirigibles large
enough to carry men and supnlies
across the Atlantic are in the possess
sion of the British government.