Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1920-02-27
PRESIDENT DENIES
DEAL WITH BRITISH
Wilson Sends Message on Sale of
German Ships.
SENATE Is GIVEN ALL DATA
had No Agreement to Sell Seized
Liners-Transmits Copy of Pro-
posed Pact Recurring APP
prevail of Congress.

prevail of Congress.
Washington, Feb. 81. = President
Wilson in reply to Senator Brande-
ses resolution, Informed the senate
that he had not entered into any
agreement or understanding with off
Gals of Great Britain concerning the
sale of former German liners seized
in American ports, nor had he en-
tered into any agreement or under
standing with respect TO what dispO-
sitiOn should be made of them by the
Uuited States.
At the same time he transmitted to
the senate copy of a proposed
agreement" between the allied and as
ISOLATED governments at Paris, under
which each is TO retain as its own
"the complete title TO and use of all
ships captured, seized or detained
during the war as a war measure"
Plan of Distribution.
This agreement further provides
that in case the ships so retained by
any allied or associated government
are in excess of the claims of such
governments for war losses in mer-
chant ships such government shall not
make a claim for share of other
ships cedeh under the treaty of peace.
Ships so ceded will be distributed
among the other governments on the
basis of ton for ton and class for class
of the ships lost and not replaced by
the enemy vessels seized or captured
by them during the war.
1t also provides that since the ships
TO be retained by the United States.
Brazil, China, Cuba and Siam would
exceed their claims for merchant ton
mage lost the commission shall deter
mine reasonable value of the excess
and that these countries shall pay
such sums to the commission for the
credit of Germany in making repara-
ton for war losses of merchant
ships.
The president said that while he
felt confident that congress would
make the disposal of the funds to
which he had agreed he had no au-
thority to bind it to that act, but
must depend upon its taking the same
view in the matter that is taken by
the joint signatories of this agree
ment"
Text of Message.
The presidents message to the SEN
ate follows:
II have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of resolution passed by
the senate on February 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 con
corning the disposition by the United
States of America OF the German
ships which the shipping board is pro-
posing to sell, or which were acquired
10y the United States after the termin-
alton of hostilities between said
United MATES and the central Euro.
pean Teutonic powers
"Tl ships for the purchase OF
which bids have been asked by the
shippiy Hoard, were taken over by
Il orders issued pursuant to
resolution of congress OF
n1917, authorizing the presi
Ike over for the United
kOssession and title of any
its jurisdiction. under
ip, or under the regis
country. The gov.
United States is moi
Oh Of any ex-German yes
at those taken over under
luton.
an armistice agreement be
he German government and
ed and associated powers Ger
knan vessels were taken ovel
for the transport of food t.
including Germany, and fol
Bortation of troops. OF th'
so taken over, certain pas
EeF vessels were allocated to tn,
ited States temporarily for the pur
dse of repatriating American sol
Tiers. When the transportation o.
our troops was completed. these YES
ksels were all surrendered in accord
nce with the agreement under which
Shey were temporarily allocated t
fcovernment for such use.
ksre is not nor has there beer
cement or understanding be
Ne president of the United
a officials of Great Britain
he possession of the United
there any agreement OF
with respect TO what
be made Of those