The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-12-27
Controversy OUer German
 Liners Ends With Their
 Surrender To Great Britain
Dispute Over Oil Tankers Captured During the War and Still Held In English Waters Remains to Be Settled as Separate Cues ton
By A,,sei.t.a rr...

Washington, December 26.-The contro versy between the shipping board and British officials over possession of seven German liners used to bring back Ameri- can troops now held in New York harbor, ended abruptly today with the announce mcnt that President Wilson had ordered the vessels turned over to Great Britain
 The transfer will be made without delay and the ships assigned to passenger serv- ice on British lines. No explanation of the order was made beyond the statement that the state department had found there was no warrant for holding the ships now that the object for which they were as signed by the nterallied shipping com mission to American use-the return oI The American army-was accomplished The eight ships of the group, the I'm peraeor has already been turned over to the British and is being operated by the Cundrd line.
 In announcing the Presidents decision, Chairman Payne of the shipping board made public his letter to Secretary Lan- sing transmitting instructions from the President The letter follows: 4
 BY ORDER OF PRESIDENT
 T am directed by the President 10 comply with the request contained in your letter transmitted to me this day from the White House and to advise you that the seven ex-German ships, to-wtt, Gral Waldersee. Zeppelin, Pretoria, Cap Finls- tere. Mobile Prinz Friedrich Wilhelm and kaiserin Auguste Victoria, now in the harbor of New York, will be delivered to the representative of Great Britain as soon as the proper person is designed 10 receive the same
 The unexpected action of the shipping board last September in refusing to de- liver the Imperator to the Brltish was understood to be connected with efforts 70 induce the return to the Standard Oii company of F tank steamers formerly under the German flag but now neid ln British custody in the Firth of Forth. Dy the supreme council. The state department took the position, however that these were separate questions and must'be deait with separately, the United States car rviug out it's obligation to return the GeF- man ships over 10 the British
 Meantime the fate of the tankers re- mains n doubt. Chairman Payne recently made a proposal to the supreme councii that pending adjustment or tieies .ue fankers be put at the disposal of eie Tinted States end that Great Britain he given use of the former German liners.
 TANK EkS AGKEEHE1Nl
 Great 1itair agreed to this proposal, U was learred today, on the condition tns'. inc Tinted States would furnish Greae Britain. France, Italy and Belgium Wieh oil but if is reported withdrew her az centance the day after it was transrni led. No explanation of the reported wito- drawal was obtained.
 Tn the absence of Chairman John Bar ion Payne. officials of the board tooay were without knowledge of the disposi' tion of the tankers.
 Tn view of the worldwide shortage or tankers. it would be hardship to the limited States. 1t was declared, If these American owned vessels should be turned aver fo other countries. officials eN- nressed the hope that the tankers wouin eventually be placed at the disposal O. the United States.
 finder the versailles treaty, final decision as to the titles of all craft requisitioneu from German harbors after armistice with the reparations from commission.
 Fror1 the present dispute. both as 'o she passenger vessels and to the tanhers, ;t was asserted, cannot be conslderen as definitely settled the present dispos'tion being only temporary