Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-12-27
j. . r =. Z. &. .
VESSELS NOW IDLE
AT NEW YORK DOCK
VIII Be Assigned to Passenger
Traffic on British
Lines.
NO EXPLANATION OFFERED
Fate of Twelve Tank Steamers
Sd Not Yet Decided
Upon.
TBy Associated Pses..l

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2G.--The con-
'rofcrsy between the Shipping Board
aud British officials over possession or
seven German liners used TO bring
back American troops. now held idle
in New York iarbor. ended abruptly
today With the announcement that the
President had ordered the vessels
oyaf maae mItaht RT5an
and the ships assigned TO pa passenger
service on British lines.
made oeyoni Tho statement That the
state Department. had found there was
no warrant for holding the ships now
assigned by the inter-allied shipping
commission TO American use--the re-
turn ot the American army--was ac-
group. the Imperat or. has already been
turned over to tho British. and is be-
fns operated by the Gunard Line.
Chairmnn Paync's Letter.
Ina letter.to3th Secretary OF State
Ton PAYNE. chairman of the Shipping
q ! . An. a. dIIIfeclea 4 the President TO
4 comp wit h he request contained in
loursict ter 9transm.tted to mo this day
1, l .IpIn sShn2 SNhite@ House. and to advise
Son 70 ~ INT NC @ seven. .eS-German ships,
toriei Cap Fimisterc. Mobile, Prinz
Eriedrich Wilhelm and kaiserin Au-
Ensie essietor3a, now IN. the harbor or
$Tssentative OF Great Britain as soon as
tns proper person Is designated 10 re-
fcSlNc the same. ssZ
vs.. The. unexpected action. of the Shin
ping iHYard last septenrber in refusing
4 " dell the Infperatcr 10 the Brit
III, VII sfolsaa safs6afsSsd s9 Ss
:. no 81 standard on Company of twelve
,siank e eaHlsi,s e; form eris.s sunder the
custody in the Firth OF Forth by order
OF the supreme council. Tho State De
naStment took the position. however.
and must be dealt with separateIv'
the United States carrying out its OBJ
ieatton to turn the German ships
Fate OF Tankers I'm Doubt.
Meantime. The fate of the tankers
remains in doubt. Chairman Payne
recently made proposal to the SUI
irene irene council that pending adjust
HE disposal of tho United States, and
that Great Britain be given use OF the
former German liners, Great Britain
Today. on the condition that the
United states would furnish Great
wfifain, wItb nj, hranee' h,., Italy and Belgium
her acceptance the day after il was
transmitted. No explanation OF the re-
ported Withdrawal was obtainable
In the absence OF Chairman John
Iar'on PAYNE: officials Of the board
today were without knowledge OF the
disposition of the ,ankcrs.
Worldwide Shortage OF Tankers.
In view OF the world wide shortage
of tankers. il would be a hardship to
tho United States. II was declared. IN
thcsc American n-owned vessels should
90 turned over 10 other countries Of
hcials expressed the hope that the
tankers would eventually be placed at
INC disposal of the United states.
Under the Versailles treaty final de-
Giision as to the titles OF all craft reoui-
sitioncd from German harbors after
inc armistce rests with the repara-
lions commission. The present dis
mute, both as TO the passenger YES.
sels and to the tankers. it was as
serted. cannot be considered as den
nitciy settled. tho present d;snositinn
being, only temporary