Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-02-24

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 21.-
President Wilson's statement to the
senate disclosing. that he had entered
into tentative, agreement at Paris
whereby the United States woulC
pay to the reparation commission the
difference between the nations mer
chant tonnage loss during the wal
and the appraised value of seizeC
German ships gave new angle to
day to the informal discussion in con
gress of the ship controversy, pre-
cipitated by the recent efforts O.
the shipping board to dispose Of thu
fleet cf former German passenger
liners.
Existence Of the agreement, no
hitherto made public, was disclosed
by the president in a communication
flatly denying that he had entered
into any agreement or understanding
with British officials concerning thu
disposition of the seized ships.
While all negotiations for the sal
of the passenger ships have beer
called off Chairman Payne, of tn
shipping board, today was goint
ahead with plans for the sale of tn
former German cargo vessels.
Wilson's Message
The presidents message to thu
congress follows:
have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of a resolution
passed by the senate on Febru-
airy IA requesting the president
to inform that body whether
any, and if SO, what, agreement
or understanding exists between.
him and officials of Great Brit
ain concerning the disposition
by the United States of Amer
lea Of the German ships which
the shipping board is proposing
to sell, or which were acquired
by the United States after the
termination of hostilities be-
tween said United States and
the central European Teutonic
powers.
The ships for the purchase Of
which bids have been asked by
the shipping board, were taken
over by executive orders issued
pursuant to the joint resolution
of congress of May IL, 1917,
authorizing the president to
take over for the United States
the possession and title of any
vessel within it's jurisdiction
under enemy ownership, or under
the registry of an enemy coun-
try. The government Of the Uni
ted States is not in possession
of any ex-German vessels -
cept those taken over under this
resolution. Under an armiStice =
agreement between the German
government and the allied and
associated powers certain Ger
man vessels were taken over
primarily for the transport of
food to Europe, including Ger
many, and for the transporta-
ton of troops.
OF the tonnage SO taken over,
certain passenger vessels were
allocated to the United States
temporarily for the purpose Of
repatriating American soldiers.
When the transportation of our
troops was completed, these YES
sells were all surrendered in ac-
cordance with the agreement UNI
der which they were temporarily
allocated to this government
for such use.
There is not nor has there
been any agreement or under
standing between the president
Gals Of Great Britain concern
ing the sale of the ex-German
vessels in possession of the
ic
agreement or understanding with
respect to what disposition shall
be made of those ships by the
United States.
I believe the above information
answers the. senate inquiry.
However, / am transmi ting
herewith a draft of a proposed
understanding in regard to eX-
enemy merchant tonnage to
which I have given assent, sub
ject to future action Of congress.
as provided therein. Although
this understanding, which rec
ognizes- Americas right with
regard to German vessels taken
in our ports, does not relate
to the disposition Of such YES
sells by the United States, I am,
nevertheless, transmitting it in
Of the United States and Off
order that the senate may be in
possession of all the fnforma' .
ton there is in any way relating
to the vessels in question. l
had intended to submit this to
congress at the Appropriated time
after the ratification of the
treaty with Germany.
(Signed) WOODROW WILSON.
February 20, 1920.
The proposed+ agreement referred
TO by the president follows;
Text of Agreement
The allied and associated govern,
ments whose signatures are here
to affixed, severally agree as re,
CARDS merchant shipping as follows
81. The reparation commission
will as soon as possible compile d
list giving fullest particulars avail
able on al ~lenemy ships still in
existence, captured, seized or de-
tanned by any allied or associated
government during the war, and
also all other enemy ships or boats
which the enemy powers are required
to cede under the treaty of peace.
"'2. The reparation commission
will take such steps as will secure
that each of the allied and associated
governments will retain as it's own
the complete title to and use of al
ships captured, seized or detained
during the war rs n war measure