The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-02-20
President Replies
To Senate Inquiry
Admits Proposal Signed by
Him and by Lloyd George
J as to Titles.
SUBJECT TO CONGRESS
Provision Called for Payment
for Excess Tonnage to Rep
arations Committee.

Ihere is no agreement or contem
plated agreement between the United
States and Great Britain as to the
disposition of the former German
ships, President Wilson. declared this
afternoon insa statement to the SEN
ate, in response to a resolution OF
inquiry.
The president admitted, however
to the senate a proposed understands
ing signed by Lloyd George and him
self as to the title of ships seized
during the war from Germany, this
proposal subject to the action of con-
gress following ratification of the
treaty. The proposal signed by Lloyd
Georre and the president provides
hat German ships shall be allocated
among the allied nations for the
losses suffered during the war. In
the event of a nation having seized
ships whose tonnage is in excess of
the tonnage lost during the war, that
nation shall pay reasonable rate
for all excess tonnage to the repara-
tions commission to go to the credit
of Germany to satisfy claims against
Germany for reparations This pro-
vision will apply to the United States.
The proposed understanding will
/ eventually be agreed to between all
/ of the allied and associated govern
ments.
Treaty Discussed
- Disul.ss;son of the peace treaty was
renewed in the senate late today after
being dormant two days. Debate to-
day, however was not in furtherance
of ratification, but sharp dispute
ensued between republicans and dem
ocrats regarding responsibility for the
treaty's present plight and the situa-
N tion ii it should become a campaign
tissue.
Text of Message.
The presidents message to the con-
greY3 follows:
Il have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of a resolution passed by
the senate on Feb. IA requesting the
president to inform that body
whether any, and if So what, agree
ment or understanding exists between
him and officials OF Great Britain
concerning the disposition by the
United States of America of the
German ships, which the shipping
board is proposing to sell, or which
we're acquired by the United States
a'Her the termination of hostilities
between said United States and the
GENITAL European teasento powers.
The ships for sthe 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 -, 1917, authorizing the presi-
dent to take over for the United
I States the possession and title of any
vessel within its jurisdiction under
n neny ownership, or under the reg
Fistry of an enemy country The gov
eminent of the United States Is not
In possession of any ex-German yes
sells except those taken over under
This resolution. Under an armistice
tasreement between the German gov
X krnment and the allied and associated
htwers certain German vessels were
taken over primarily for the trans
port of food to Europe, including Ger
maAy and for the transportation of
troops.
OF the Tonnage so taken over, GER
tain passenger vessels were allocated
- the United States temporarily for
the purpose Of repatriatng American
soldiers. When the transportation Of
our troops was completed these vessels
were all surrendered in accordance with
the agreement unGer which they were
temporarily allocated to this govern
mcnt for such use.
There is not, nor has there been,
any agreement or understanding be-
tween the president of the United
States and officials of Great Britain
concerning the sale of the eX-German
vessels in possession of the United
States, nor is there any agreement or
understanding with respect to what
disposition shall be made Of those ships
by the United States.
Il believe the above information fully
answers the senate inquiry. However,
| am transmitting herewith draft Of
proposed understanding in regard to
eN-enemy merchant tonnage to which !
have given assent, subject to future aC-
tion of congress, as provided therein.
Although this understanding, which
recognizes Americas s right with regard
TO German vessels taken In our ports,
does not relate to the disposition of
such vessels by the United States, /
am, nevertheless, transmitting it in or
der that the senate may be in posses
sion of all the information there is in
any way relating to the vessels in ques-
tion. l had intended TO submit TINS to
congress at the appropriate time after
the ratification Of the treaty with Ger
many.
Feb. 90 1920"
Terms Of Agreement.
The proposed agreement referred to
by the president follows:
The allies and associated govern
inents, whose signatures are heretofore
|affiNed SeNerally agree as regards mer-
chant shipping as follows:
-. The reparation commission Will.
as soon as possible, compile list Civ
ng fullest particulars available on all
enemy ships still in existence, captured,
seized or detained by any allied or as
ISOLATED government during the war.
and also all other enemy ships or boats
> hiCh the enemy powers are required
to cede under the treaty OF peac-
90 The reparation commission VIII
take such steps as will secure that each
|of the allied and associated govern
|ments viii retain as its own the COM
plcte title to and use OF all ships cap
tured. seized or detained during the
war as a war measure and prior 10
Nov II. 1918. and viii own the same
free from any claim OF any OF the al
les or associated governments.
In all cases where the ships ana
boats so to be retained by the any al
lied or associated government, are In
excess Of the claims OF such govern
mcnts respectively for war losses ln
merchant ships such government shall
not make any claim for share ln
other ships and boats ceded under the
treaty Of peace.
"'s In an cases where the ships
and boats 20 be retained boy any such
government are insufficient 20 satisfy
IN fill the claims OF such governments
respectively for war losses Zoo merchaht
-hips. the enemy ships which remain
and which are ot be coded under the
treaty Of peace Will b. divided INTO
three classes. viz. Liners. other mcr-
chant ships. and hzhing boats. ana Wlli
L 20 Distributed 20 such governments on
t.e basis OF ton fer ton and class Tor
4 IS Of the ships and boats lost ana
not replaced hy the ships and boats
retained. but COB proportion to the ball
aures-
ga As the ships and boats 50 70
he retained VIII in the case Of Brzail