Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-12-15
Denman, Former Chair
man, Tells Of Foreign
Interference.
WOULD REVEAL MORE,
WILSON IN THE WAY
Dsnnan Says It Presidents Psrmis-
sion Could Be Obtained He Would
Disclose Other Phases Of lnterfer-
snce-Failure to Free Board of
eritlsh Influences Caused Dem
man's Resignation.
BY Associated Press.

\
Washington. Dec. 15. - Members
of the British mission which visited
the United States in 1917 attempted
to influence the policies of the ship
ping board, William Denman. Of San
Francisco, first chairman of the
board, testified today before the
special house committee. inyestigat-
ing the board operations.
Mr.. Denman indicated that his in
sistence that the shipping board be
free from British influence had more
to do with his resignation as chair
man OF the board than any other one
thing.
In this connection the witness said
that II he could obtain the permis-
sion of President Wilson for the dis
closure of Certain phases" OF the
shipping boards negotiations, 'one Of
the sources OF interference with my
administration as head OF the board
may be disclosed
Britishsr Gets On Board.
Mr.. Denrnan said that in April.
1917. when he was attempting to or
New York to function with the ship
ping board ION q purely American
basis." he discovered that Sir Con-
nahght tsuturire. member of the
British n1ission who had just arrived
IN this country was made . member
OF the advisory body.
n don't know how he got on that
boardit all happened between noon
and half past this,e O'clock one ar
&eSnoon senxl tell you how he
got Mr. 3enmhn declared.
II learned that three 56r four mem
bers OF the British mission had at
tended the session at which the Sc
lection was made. .Afterward the
shippinS board had . warm session.
It lasted twenty minutes and all that
had been transacted at The previous
Bession was wiped out.
'.We wanted British cooperation.
but we didn't want Great Britain to
influence our board until we had got
ten things under way We were still
in the air as to what we wanted to
do, and the policy OF the British in
this connection seemed very extra
ordinary to me-"
Situation Was Critical
Great Britain's effort after the
United States entered the war to
block the building Of an American
merchant marine which might imperil
british maritime supremacy precipi-
tated delicate situation In the re-
lations between the two governments.
Denman told the Walsh congressional
committee investigating the shipping
board.
The measures adopted In secret
after British orders for steel ships
had clogged American yards. to pre-
vent an open break with Great Brit
ain were revealed for the first time
by Mr.. Denman.
To determine upon steps to protect
American interests, a hurried confer
ence Of President Wilson, Mr.. Dem
man and about thirteen senators was
held at the White House In absolute
secrecy.
Mr.. Denlnan outlined the British
scheme and explained how 1t stood
In the way Of American shipbuilding
facilities. and after the conference
the president Instructed him to take
over the British contracts by amicable
agreement IL possible.
Secret Work in Senate.
The whole proposition. Mr.. Denman
testified. then hinged on the senate
and the delioacy OF the situation made
IL imperative that no inkling Of what
action was being taken should be-
come known.
A resolution. he continued. was
drawn with the greatest possible care
10 shield III real purpose-authority
to the shipping board to commander
the British ships in process Of con-
struStion. II an amicable settlement
could not be effected, and 1t was
passed by tho senate early In May.
1917.
The British. thru Arthur Balfour.
relinquished their contracts shortly
afterward.