The Washington times., 1919-12-26
Intened Vessels at New York
To Be Surrendered Under
Peace Council Order.
PRESIDENT DIRECTS ACTION
Return Expected to End lonq
and Bitter Fight for
Ownership.

Seven German ships, allocated to
the United States on food-exchanee
basis by the inter-xllied council, viii
be given to Great Britain as soon as
the proper person is designated to
receive them, the Shipping Board an
nounced today.
The action WAS taken at the direc-
tion of the President Great Britain
made q demand upon the United
States for the ships on the grounds
that the food-exchanee basis under
which the ships were allocated to this
country was no longer in force. The
State Department investigated and
recommended to the President that
the ships be TUNED back to Cruas
Britain.
Bone Of Contentien-
The ships are now In New York
haroor and there has been an extep6-
ed controversy over them with Great
Britain making a claim for posse.-
sion OF the vessela
John Barton Payne, Chairman q.
the shipping Board, today sent q let
ter to the Secretary OF State announc-
ing the decision of the board to turn
the vessels over to Great Britain.
Chairman Psyne's letter was a.
follows:
Dear Mr.. Secretary:
I am directed by the President to
comply with the request contained in
your letter transmitted 10 me thi.
cay from the White House. and to
4oNise you that the seven ex-German
ships, to wit the Graf walder.ee
zeppelin, Pretoria. Cap Finisterr.'
Mobl Prin1. Frederick wilhelm and
the kaiserin Victoria, now in the hsr-
Dor OF New York, will be delivered
TO the representatives of Great Britain
as soon az the proper person is d.sig-
mated 10 receive the same
Very truly yours.
JOHN BARTON PAYNE
1t is believed here that this acti.n
! will bring a settlement of the con-
troversy over the American-owped OF
tankers taken Great Britain from
Germany, which will result in the re-
turn OF the tankers TO the United
States.
May Sell All Z. o. sAips.
Sale OF other German passes-
ger ships taken over by the United
states during the war is under con-
, siderstion by the United States Shin
ping Board today. II decision 4, made
TO sell the ships to private operators
provisions will be made that the ves-
sells shall sail under the American
flag
Prohibition laws have tangled the
plans OF the shipping Board, and MAJ
cause an abandonment OF all Of tn
passenger liners under the control OF
the Government. Under 4 ruling mad,
by Chairman Payne, OF the board, ves-
sells operating under the Government
will not be permitted to have bsrs on
board. or TO sell drinks outside OF the
| three-mile limit. This places thesc
vessels at a disadvantage in compe-
ting with American and foreign
owned ships, which will have bars
, aboard, and would be a decided draw
back 10 the success of the passenger
service, some officials OF the board
contend.
The German passenger ships which
aggregate tonnage of about 25o. 900
deadweight tons. II is plsnned to
sell the ships for about $3.50 q ton.
Six of these ships are now in the
service OF the recently created line
between the United States and South
America. and IL IL is found that their
sale would hamper that service, they
|, will not be sold.
The six liners TO be sold by the
Shipping Board Will probably be &C
quired by the Munson. line, and con-
tinued in service between this country
and South American ports. IL vas
learned st the board headquarters
today.
Great Britain is said 10 be greatly
in need Of additional tonnage to re
turn home her colonial troops
Action OF the Shipping Board iu
selling a number OF ships already in
Government possession may srecl
the policy OF building Of more wesley
officials Of the board are said to tSC.
Should they cling TO this ideS<Ls
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