New-York tribune., 1920-02-21
No Ship Deal
With Britain,
Wilson Says
Continued from page 1

1919. how American payments into the
Allied "pool" would be computed under
the PROPOSED agreement should losses
sustained by the United States be less
than the value Of German tonnage
seized, was explained by Chairman
Payne.
appraisal of the vessels, made by the
Secretary of the Navy in June. 1917,
set the value of the ninety-tive vessels,
aggregating 100000 gross tons, at S34,-
1880. This appraisal, the chairman
said. took into account the damage
done to the ships by their crews be-
fore relinqushing them and represents
their value for the purposes Of the pro-
posed agreement.
eve take the ships absolutely. title
free" Chairman Payne stated, "and
when we come to settle with Germany
we put in the common pool the differ
praised value Of the ships"
Sale of former German cargo vessels
by the Shipping Board will continue
Chairman Payne announced, as the &C
ticn Of the Senate Commerce Commit
tee and the temporary injunction grant
cd to Hearst apply only to the thirty
passenger ships.
Bids have been invited by the board
fol the purchase Of twenty-five freight
carriers, aggregatng 100,532 dead
weight tons. Up to the present twenty
three former German cargo carriers
have been sold by the board.
The Presidents message to the Sen
ate follows:
81 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
concerning the disposition by the
United States of America Of the Ger
man ships which the Shipping Board
is proposing to sell, or which were
acquired by the United States after
the termination of hostilities between
said United States and the Central
European TeutoNic powers
"The ships for the 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 II, 1917, authorizing the Presi-
dent to take over for the United
States the possession and title of any
vessel within its jurisdiction under
enemy ownership, or under the reg
lstry OF an enemy country.
'Ihe government of the United
States is not in possession of any ex-
German vessels except those taken
over under this resolution. Under IN
armstce agreement between tie
German government and the Allied
and associated powers, certain Ger
man vessels were taken over prima-
rily fog the transport Of food to
Europe, including Germany, and for
the transportation or troops.
cot the tonnage so taken over, GER
tain passenger vessels were allocated
to the United States temporarily for
the purpose Of repatriating Ameri-
can soldiers. When the transporta-
ton our troops was completed
these vessels were all surrendered in
accordance with the agreement under
which they were temporarily allo-
Gated to this government for such
No Agreement with Britain
"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-Ger-
man vessels in possession of the
United States, nor is there any agree
ment or understanding with respect
to what disposition shail be made OF
those ships by the United States.
81 believe the above information
fully answers the Senate inquiry.
However, am transmitting herewith
a draft Of a proposed understanding
IN regard to ex-enemy merchant ton
mage to which | have given assent,
subject to future action o. Congress,
as provided therein.
although this understanding,
which recognizes Americas right
with regard to Germap vessels taken
in our ports, does not relate to the
disposition of such vessels by the
United States, | am, nevertheless,
transmitting it in order that the Sem
ate may be in possession of all the in
formation there is in any way relat-
ing to the vessels in question.
81 had intendof to submit this to
Congress at tie appropriate time,
after the ratification or the treaty
with Germany.
"WOODROW WILSON.
"20th February, 192O.'
Agreement With Allies