The Washington herald., 1920-12-28
CZECHO-SLOVAKIA
SEEKS WAY TOSEA
Hamburg Replaces Trieste as
Main Port by Passing of
Southern Route.
Special Gable Dispatch To
The washington Herald.

HAMBURG. Doc. 81 The un-
restricted use of Hamburg as a
free harbor and realization Of the
promised Observation-Disclosures OF the
River Elbe. are essential to the fu-
ture development of the new re-
public of Czecho- Slovakia, said
Consul General vavrecka in an in
terview. here yesterday. Negota-
tions which now are being carried
on to set aside a part of the harbor
for the exclusive use OF Czecho-
Slovak merchants. up to. date have
produced no definite results. but are
progressing satisfactorily and as an
amicable agreement will be advan-
tageous to both countries, little diff
hculty is expected in solving that
problem.
But carrying out the provision of
the peace treaty for the interna-
tionalization of the Elbe Is a dIf-
ferent matter. Germany now i'm
poses a tax of per cent on all
goods transported on the river ir-
respective of the nationality of the
owners. Recognition of this right.
the principle of which is contrary
to the spirit of the treaty is an
obstacle to the upbuilding Of an ex-
tensive foreign trade. according TO
the consul general. for Germany
might at a future time SO increase
this duty as to make impossible the
use OF the Elbe and close Czecho-
Slovakia's gate to the sea.
Favor InternationaIi.atio
That country is much in favor OF
the principle of internationalizatio
Of rivers which are the natural
highways OF more than one nation
for such rivers. 1t is contended, are
only prolongation of the seas and
should be treated as such.
Fourteen per cent OF the total
foreign trade OF Czecho-Slovakis
and e5 per cent of that transported
by water. amounting to 100000 tons
OF imports and l63,0o0 tons of ex-
ports, passed through Hamburg
during the first six months of this
year. Hamburg has replaced Trieste
as the principal harbor OF Czecho-
Slovakia. Goods were formerly sent
by the southern route because OF the
favorable concessions in the way OF
duties and tariffs granted by Austria,
but since the war the greater part
of the foreign trade is carried on
with other European nations by rail.
but as economic conditions and
water transportation facilities i'm
prove an increase in the amount
carried in ships is anticipated. This
fG he aN
cent OF the entire foreign trade dur
ing the coming year. which is like
ly to total 1000. 900 tons of imports
and 700. 900 tons of exports Goods
transported by water will be divid-
Cd about equally between the Danu-
be and the Elbe in the opinion of
the consul general During the last
year owing to lack of ships and
unsettled conditions in Russia. the
Elbe was little used.
cho-Slovakia is now depend
ent on other nations. particularly
Germany. to furnish ships and
barges to carry her foreign trade,
but plans in the near future to
acquire a feet of river boats on
both the Elbe and Danube, and even
entertains hopes OF building up a
deep sea merchant marine, in spite
of the fact that she is in middle
Europe with no direct connection
with the ocean. Czecho-Slovakia is
ambitious for a career on the sea
which is essential to the future de-
velopment OF the country stated NJ.
Navrecka. Projects already are
under way to connect the Oder,
Danube, Elbe and Rhine by an ex-
tensive canal system and make IL
possible to transport iron and coal
from the Rhineiand and raw ma
terials from America and send nm
ished manufactured articles to Scan
dinavia, Finland, and Russia, all by
water.
Copyright, 1890, Public Ledger Co..