The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1920-02-21
W|[SONOEN|ES
SHIP COMPACT
Told Lloyd George He Gould
Not Bind Congress to Any
Agreement.


mier Lloyd-Geerge, of England
had a secret agreement reaa-
tive to the disposition Of the
former German ships" Senator
Brandegee, Republican Of
Conn.,, declared in the Senate
today, commenting on the
reply of the President to the
Senate resolution.
"The reply Of the President
veriRcs the report l nd relstive
to the secret agreement" Bran.
degee said.
Brandegee sal dhe could not
not understand why the Presf-
dent should hold the agreement
with England until the Peace
Treaty has been disposed Of.
The agreement provides for
the turning over Of all money
for the sale OF these ships to the
reparation commission or pay.
ment for them by the United
States il they are not sold,'
Brandegee declared
II compliment the President
for his frnnkness in laying the
facts before the Senate" Bran.
degee continued.
President Wilson. in reply to th'
resolution, passed by th'
senate asserts that no agreemen
,r understanding has ever existet
,etweem him and officials of tn
British government. concerning th'
,ale OF the ex-German vessels in pos
session OF the United States, nor II
here any agreement or understand
ng with respect to what disposition
shall be made Of those ships by th'
United States"
Agreement BY President
Attached to the Presidents letter
is the text Of an agreement
between him and Lloyd George per
aiming to merchant shipping" Thi.
agreement was made in Paris in May
919, and bears the signature OF the
President and the British Premier.
The fourth clause of this agree
nent reveals something which Con
yress may find distinctly objection
lble.
1t begins with the statement tha,
he ships seized by the United State,
will exceed the total amount Of ship
ling 1t lost at the hands of the
.nemy, and therefore provision Is
made that the ships be appraised and
hat whatever value Is arrived at over
md above the value of our war Loose,
n ships shall be turned over to thu
'eparation commission.
Britain To Get Cash.
The latter body will place II t,
he credit Of Germany toward tn,
ums "due from her for reparation
n respect to war losses of merchant
hips"
In this fashion. Great Britain will
eceive, through Germany cash fo'
he ships seized, operated and con
Iitioned by the United States.
Chairman Payne. OF the Shipplnf
Soard, said today that Great Britair
Il the peace conference, stated tha
he had lost II per cent OF her nier
hant tonnage during the war, ant
or this reason she thought the Unite;
states should turn over to her II pc
ent of the former German passenger
md freight liners seized in our pcrti
Il the beginning of the war.
Chairman Payne said that tn,
PRESIDENT would not agree to thii
but the agreement which
e made public today showed wha
vas finally accomplished.
Did Not hind Congress.
That the President, In signing the
with Lloyd George, fell
hat Congress in the last analysis
would have the power of accepting
r rejecting II Is indicated by a post.
cript to Il, which reads:
T deem Il my duty to state, IN
igning this document. that, Will,
feel confident that the Congress
Z the United States will make tn,
isposal OF the funds mentioned n
lause four, which they agreed upon
have no authority to bind IL to tha
ction, but must depend upon IT,
aking the same view OF the matte
hat is taken by the joint signatorie,
this apreement-