Evening journal., 1919-02-13
u. S. MAY USE Big
GERMAN TONNAGE
Hurley Est timates 100000
Tons Are Available to Re-
turn Yankee Troops
NAVY CREWS WILL
MAN THE SHIPS

NEW YORK, Feb. i3-Edward II. Hur-
ley. chairman OF the United States
shipping Board. who departed from
this port in November. with Herbert
Hoover, OF the food administration. 10
study the shipping situation as Il re-
lated to the transportation OF food 10
Europe and bringing back American
soldiers to the United States. has
returned by the transport Leviathan
very optimistic about the future M
american shipping. He said the shin
plng board would soon get down 10 a
oennite. business-like basis and that the
american mercantile marine would
proht by the experience, as he had
learned much from an international
viewpoint OF shipping. He said he did
not consider the question OF wages a
serious matter. The wages OF the sea
men OF Great Britain, Holland and some
OF the Scandinavian countries were al
most on a similar basis.
From information now al hand" Mfr.
Hurley said, 'the total available German
passenger tonnage for carrying Aneri-
can troops Is more than 100000 gross
tons This estimate does not include
the Bismarck, latest OF the great Ham
burg-American ships. Of about $4,000
tons gross, nearing completion. nor the
lmperator, sister ship OF the Levialhan.
The Imperator cannot be delivered for
several months Also excluded from
this total OF 10000 are incompleted or
unavailable giant vessels such as the
Tirpitz. Hindenburg and Columbus. con-
cerning which no reports have been re-
ceived.
The estimate is based upon listed
tonnage and information obtained from
German delegates and from a commits
sion Of American engineers aboard the
scout cruiser Chester and the American
cruiser Aylwln, both now at Bremen,
and who, since February 1, have been
making a survey OF German steamships
in German ports. The United States
share OF this tonnage should run ap-
proximately 10 100000 gross tons suit
able for the expatriation Of American
troops. This should give the United
States an additional troop-carryine ca |
pacity OF more than 60O00 men per
month.
"a number OF German ships are ready |
W Hug Nuh " oId dh UANts ~ - lAuAllNn
that these shall be manned temporarily |
by German officers and crews and shall |
proceed Immediately 10 British or
French ports, under the direction Of
the naval armisliee commission. Upon /
arrival at such British or French ports |
German officers and crews shall be re-
patrlated and the ships turned over 70 |
the navay TO man and operate for ac-
count OF the War Department The ,
Navy Department, In anticipation Of /
these new demands, has made prepara- /
tions and has already assembled
large number Of officers and men, who d
are ready TO take charge OF all German /
ships that may be delivered.
"A large part Of the German tonnage
will be ready for sea within the FIRST i
nve weeks from today and the rest Will
be delivered at later varying dates. The
question Of making alterations was to
include carrying capacity and Will be
after the arrival OF the ships
at American ports. The ships viii fy
The American flag. Some Of them are In
Spain, some In Argentina and others in
The Dutch East Indies and other neutral
ports. These ships will be delivered
IN neutral ports TO the Allied govern
ments interested"