Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-07-19
SHIPPING DEAL STARTS NEW
ERA IN GERMAN COMMERCE
agreement With american Corporation Paues Way Resume
Trade Relations With United States
BY the Associated Press

Hamburg, July 10.-As further par
ticulars come to light regarding the
agreement between the Hamburg Amer
ican Steamship Co. and the American
Ship and Commerce Corporation, by
which the former German trade routes
are to be opened to American shipping,
the belief is deepening in shipping and
financial circles here that it constitutes
one of the most momentous events for
Germany since the war.
Through it the Germans see the
means of rcgaining touch with the out
side world and an opportunity for Ham
burg to re- establish semblancc, at
least. of its former position as great
port.
Re. establishing Relations
Apart from the commercial benefits
expected. the Germans attach much po-
litical significance to the agreement.
This is emphasized by Wilhelm Cuno,
general manager of the Hamburg Amer
lean Line, who. in an interview with
the Associated Press, declared:
81 call your especial attention TO the
fact that the agreement must not only
be considered from business viewpoint,
but must be regarded as trial at re-
establishing good relations between the
two countries. The way we have taken
will be the only possible one to resume
relations between Germany and foreign
countries in the near future
Herr Cuno stated the Spa conference
supplied the "bcst proof that the CO.
operation of nations cannot be effected
by victorious government debating de-
crees to n beaten government.
Cuno Predicts Success
Herr Cuno said he was satisfied the
agreement with the United States would
prove a success. believing it would be
the reopening of peaceful working re-
lations between the two countries. 1t
is understood that there is no founda-
ton for reports that American ships
would be placed at the Hamburg
American lines disposal.
Where the German line will secure
ships enough to enable it. to operate
80 per cent of the vessels on tho routes
to be reopcned under the agreement is
a subject of keen speculation. Accord
| ing to best information it will be able
| to lease considerable number in npu
tral countries and from Great Britain,
That huge shipbuilding program
is contemplated not only by the Ham
burg American Co., but by other Ger.
man lines is evidenced by preparations
now in progress. A meeting will be
held this week between the PRINCIPAL
shipbuilding concerns and steel manu-
| lecturers to discuss the amount of ma e.
terial available in Germany for new
construction.
Arrangements may be made to import
| American steel.
New Plant at Hamburg
On the lower End of Hamburg harbo,
a new shipbuilding plant which. it i,
said, is destined to be the largest In
Europe, is nearing completion, The
Hamburg American line Is one Of IN,
principal stockholders in this concern
which will begin operations within
eighteen days, and will have facilitie,
for quickly doubling its capacity.
contrary to belief prevalent in Ger
many that German shipbuilding is ,
futile task, as the bulk of new tonnar,
VIII have to be turned over to III,
Allies, 1t is asserted here that the uues.
ton OF the tonnage Germany must de
lVer within the next two years re-
mains unsett ed and that the amount i
still definitely placed at up to 200 90,
tons" 0''''
Before the war German shipyard
turned out about 800, 900 tons of shin
ping annually, If the yards succeed !,
obtaining credits and materials enablinI
them to resume on their former scale !
is believed only few years will clans
before Germany again will possess A,
, imposing merchant marine. Trade or
ganizations of the shipping companie
are said to remain intact and they hay
60 600 unemployed sailors to draw upo
TO man new vessels.
Washington, July 10.-(By A, Po-
Final details Of the agreement betwee