The sun., 1919-03-13
U. S. MAY REJECT
GERMAN VESSELS
Hurley Not to Take Ships
Held in Chile Unless Stipu-
lations Are Agreeable.
PROBABLY IN BAD SHAPE
100000 Tons in Home Ports
Assigned to America and
Crews Will Be Sent.
PROBABLY IN BAD SHAPE

WAsHINGToN, March 12.--The Ameri-
can Government may not accept the
100000 or more tons of German ship
ping in Chilean waters allocated to 1t by
the Allied Shipping Commission. Chair
man Hurley OF the Shipping Board, said
tonight final action would depend upon
both the condition of the grant and the
ships
Mr. Hurley explained that the original
proposal was for the United States to
take over the ships and use them until
the peace treaty was signed, when title
to them would be determined. This offer
was refused by Mr. Hurley. who be-
lieved their use for 30 short period
would not justify tho board In standing
the expense OF the repairs.
Information that the ships finally had
been allocated to this country has just
been received at the State Department
Mr.. Hurley Immediately ordered an eX-
animation OF the vessels TO determine
the extent OF repairs that would have TO
be made. Most officials believe the en-
gines are in bad shape and that the
hulls also have been more or less DAM
aged
The exact conditions under which the
ships have been alloonted to this coun-
Shipping Board. II these should pro-
vide for the use of the vessels only until
peace is proclaimed some officials said
they would not be acceptable.
Three hundred thousand tons of Ger
man transatlantic shipping now in Ger
man ports have been allocated to the
United States, Most OF the ships are in
good shape and they will be got out as
soon as the American crews can be as
sembled and cent TO Germany. German
ships which were laid up in Peru and
Uruguay were chartered some time ago
by the United States and are now in
operation.
German ships self-interned in Chilean
ports at the outbreak OF the war num-
bered 36 steamships OF 126.501 net tons
and 80 sailing vessels OF 1852 tons, a
grand total OF IS vessels ageregating
241,1Ss net tons. according to list COM
piled by the South 4 nericdn in Febru-
AIRY, 1918. The largest Of these ships is
the Yorck. 5,l17 tons. interned at Val
paradise
SANTIAGO Chile. March IL. The
Chilean Government has received re-
port to the effect that the Allied War
Council in Paris has decided that the
German ships informed in chile should
be delivered to the United States The
Government is awaiting a demand from
| the United States for the delivery OF the
vessels.
An official statement issued by the
| Chilean Government says the Govern
ment is in accord with the decision Of
the Allied Council TO have Chile deliver
the German ships TO the United States.
BUENos AYREs. Argentina. March ~
According 70 n despatch to the Ndcion
from Santiago the United states will
have turned over to it German ships in
termed in Chilean ports. By virtue Of the
decision reached by the Supreme War
Council in Paris The Chileans, adds the
despatch, believe this decision will ulti-
| mately benefit Chile, Il being the opinion
there that the United States will ASSIGN
many OF the vessels to Chilean trade. II
Is reported that the United States au-
| thorities win send crews TO navigate
! them.