Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-19
HAMBURG TO GAIN
AS PORT BY DEAL
FOR TRADE IN j. s.
Germans Say Agreement Is
One of Most MomentouS
for Them Since War.
By the Associated Press,

By the Associated Press.
| HAMBURG. July 1s.-As further
particulars come to light regarding
the agreement between the Hamburg
American Steamship Company and the
American Ship and Commerce Cor
| poration, by which the former Ger
man trade routes are to be opened to
American shipping. the belief is deep
ening in shipping and financial cir
cles here that it constitutes one OF
the most momentous events for Ger
many since the war.
| Through it the Germans see the
means of regaining touch with the
outside world and an opportunity fol-
! Hamburg to re-establish a semblance
at least. of it's former position as a
great port.
| Apart from the commercial bene-
| fits expected. the Germans attach
much political significance to the
agreement.
| Managers Statement.
This was emphasized today by Will
helm Cuno. general manager of the
| Hamburg line, who in an
interview with the Associated Press
declared:
Il call your special attention to the
fact that the agreement must not
only be considered from a business
|
| a trial at re-establishing good rela-
tions between the two countries. The
way we have taken will be the only
| possible one to resume relations be-
| tween Germany and foreign countries
| in the near future.
| 1.-THE war left a deep gulf between
! the belligerent countries and disor-
ganized the entire economic order
The normal state of things can only
! be restored if representatives of eco
| nomic interests endeavor to link mu-
| tual interests in a new and more
binding connection than was possible
! in prewar times"
| Herr Cuno stated the Spa confer
| ence supplied the best proof that
cooperation of nations cannot be ef-
| fected by a victorious government
! debating DEGREES to beaten gov
| eminent"
| The experience of our negotiations
with the United States confirms this,
continued Herr Cuno. From the first
day we took up discussions with the
! full knowledge that this first renewa
of friendship on an important anG
vital point would have to be sincere
and binding"
| Herr Cuno said he was satisfied the
agreement would prove a success, be.
| lieving it would be a reopening OF
peaceful. working relations between
| the two countries.
|
American line interviewed refused tc
| add any details of the agreement te
| what has already been published con-
corning it. saying they prefer that
announcements come from w. H. Har-
| riman, president of the American
| company. 1t is understood, however
| that there is no foundation for re-
ports printed in German newspapers
| that American ships would be placed
| at the Hamburg-American lines dis
posal.
| Where the German line will secure
| ships enough to enable it to operate
| fifty per cent of the vessels on the
routes to be reopened under the
| agreement is a subject Of keen specu-
| ls.tion here. According to best infor-
| nation it will be able to lease a con-
l siderable number in neutral countries
and from Great Britain. Other ships
eventually will be built in German
shipyards.
| That huge shipbuilding program
is contemplated. not only by the Ham
| burg-American Company. but by other
German lines. is evidenced by prepa-
! a meeting will be held this week
| between the principal shipbuilding
| concerns and steel manufacturers to
discuss the amount Of material avail
able in Germany for new construc-
ton. 1t is believed that if the con-
terial cannot be had. arrangements
will be made to import American
steel, which, at the present rate OF
exchange, can be laid down cheaper
! than the German product.
Big ShipbuildinE Plant.
Meantime on the lower end of Ham
burg harbor a new shipbuilding plant
| which, it is said, is destined to be the
| largest in Ehrope, is nearing COM
| pletion. The Hamburg american line
| is one of the principal stockholders
| in this concern, which will begin op.
erations within eighteen days and has
| facilities for quickly doubling it's ca
| pacity.
| Building rather than chartering YES
sells is expected to be the Hamburg
American lines aim, owing to the neces.
sity Of securing uniformity in the type
of ships employed in the joint service
A representative of Mr.. Hartman, it is
understood. is coming to Hamburg ir
September to confer with officials of the
lime on this matter.
| Contrary to belief prevalent in Ger
| many that German shipbuilding is a
futile task as the bulk of new tonnage
will have to be turned over to the al
lies, it is asserted here that the Ques-
ton of the tonnage Germany must de.
liver within the next two years remains
| unsettled and that the amount is still
indefinitely placed at up to zoo, O0t
TONS"
! Before the war German shipyards
turned out about 800, 600 tons of shipping
annually. If the yards succeed in OBJ.
tanning credits and materials enabling
them to resume on their former scale, il
is believed only few years will elapse
before Germany again will possess an
imposing merchant marine Trade or
CARNATIONS of the shipping companies
are said to remain intact and they have
so. 900 unemployed sailors to draw upon
to man new vessels