New-York tribune., 1920-10-17
Biton Urges
Aid for Russia
And Germany
Sir Alfred Booth Asserts
Restoration of Buying
Power to Both Nations
Is a World Necessity
Defends Hartman Deal
Agrees With Financier That
Ship Combine Would Be
of Great Value to L. S.

Restoration of buying power to the
enormous populations of Germany and
Russia is one of the first essentials
to the full recovery Of the European
commercial fabric from the disastrous
effects of the World War.
That opinion was expressed yester-
day by Sir Alfred Booth, chairman of
the Cunard Line and British maritime
authority, WHO has been in New York
for the last week supervising arrange
ments for the construction of nine new
Cunard docks at Weehawken.
Sir Alfred said he had read with
great interest Averil Harriman's ex-
planatlon Of the contract recently en-
tered into between the American Ship
and Commerce Corporation and the
Hamburg American Line. as set forth
III The New York Tribune Friday morn
ing. He agreed with Mr. Harriman's
upon American shipping development
and as TO the necessity of rehabilitat
ing Germany to basis of financial
stability.
America Needs Experience
."Obviously,' said the British ship
ping authority. "the acquisition Of such
shipping experience as is possessed
within the Hamburg american organi-
zatlon should prove of value to the
maritime interests of country whose
tonnage has increased as rapidly as
has that of the United States.
America now has the ships, but their
owners IN the main are without ex-
tended knowledge of the shipping in
dustry. This is essentially true, be
cause prior to the war very little tom
mage was on the seas under the Ameri-
can flag. I agree with Mr.. Hartman
in his contention that affiliation with
experienced organizations will advance
the maritime interests Of this country.
ION the patriotic side of the ques-
ton am again in accord with his
views. have always held that since
the war is over and won it is essential
20 the economic progress of Europe. and
in a lesser extent the United States
and the world that buying power be
restored to the populations OF Russia
and Germany. This is a duty that de-
wolves upon every country, and an end
that may be achieved only through
the rehabilitation of their commerce
and industry.
AT the present time. because OF it's
chaotic internal condition, we can do
nothing for Russia, but nothing is
progress of the world than the estab-
lishment there of some stable form of
government through which it's vast
stores of vital necessities may again
be released to international commerce.
with Germany, however, the condi-
tion is different. The country in it's
present state is an economic burden
upon the entire world, and will remain
so until its commerce is, to an extent,
rehabilitated | do not believe the SEN
timent of any country will support an
attack on Mr., Earriman's contract sim
ply on the ground that it assists
beaten foe
Discusses Jones Bill
Sir Alfred said British sentiment
strongly favored the development of
the American merchant marine to the
point of the most rugged competition
with Great Britain. He said the al
tentative of a German reversion by the
maritime power possessed by the Kaiser
before the war was abhOrrent to his
countrymen.
Discussing the treaty abrogations in
volved in the Jones bill, instructions of
which President Wilson refused to fol-
low, Sir Alfred said he was with out
personal interest, as he did not believe
the provisions Of the bill would mate
rally affect the business of the Cunard
line or the shipping interests Of Great
britain. He said, however, he believed
the abrogations involved were of suf-
ticently sweeping character to consti-
tute a distinct precedent in legislation
governing international commerce, and
might possibly form the basis of re-
talation by some country that might
lead up to complications which would
restrain trade.
This period of recovery from the
effects of war;" he said, "is very try
ing one, and one in which trade be-
tween nations should be facilitated in
every way possible. Any influence that
tends to retard international COM
merce has the effect of increasing