Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-02-21
WILSON DENIES ANY
 PACT WITH BRITAIN
 REGARDING VESSELS
Explaining Tentative Agree ment that Would Give
 Germans Excess
MAYORS PLAN TO
 DEFER SHIP SALE
Agreement Reached in May of 1919 was Subject to the Approval of Congress, Wilson
 Explains

Washington, Feb. 20.-President Wilson fiatly denied today in form al communication to the senate that he had any agreement or understand ing with British officials regarding disposition of the fleet of former German liners around which, since they were offered for sale by the shipping board, has ragged q controv- ersy into which congress, courts and government agencies have been drawn.
 '"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" Mir. Wilson said, re- spending specifically to q resolution by Senator Brandagee republican, of Connecticut, adopted by the san- ate, "Nor is there any agreement or understanding with respect to what disposition shall be made of these ships by the United States"
 "I believe the above information fully answers the senate inquiry"
 At the same time, however, and Gin order that the senate may be in possession of all the information there is in any way relating to the vessels in question" the president transmitted a copy of hitherto un- published tentative agreement reach- ed in Paris, that Germany eventually would be credited before the repare- tions commission should congress approve, with any surplus valuation of the ships in excess of merchant tonnage losses of the United States during the war. In no case would title to the ships themselves pass from the United States. the agree mert provided.
 To Defer Sale.
 Before MT. Wilson's message reach- ed the senate the commerce commit tee had decided to pecommnd pass age of the bill drawn by it's chair man, Senator Jones, republican, Washington, dcferring sale of the ships until they shall have been re- fitted for commercial service by the shipping board and congress shall have laid down a national shipping policy. The house merchant marine committee had embarked on an in- dependent inquiry with Chairman John Barton Payne and Vice Chair man Stevens of the shipping board reiterating their divergent views on the advisability of the present sale of the vessels and in the district su- preme court, associate Justice Bailey took under advisement application of counsel for the board that 4k,- OO0,000 bond be required of William Randolph Hearst, g taxpayer, who was granted q temporary injune- tion against the boards plan to sell the fleet.
 The proposed agreement transmit ted by the president was signed in May, 1919, by Premier Lloyd Geprxe and MT. Wilson. The presidkntss signature, however, was made con- ditional on an appended "explana- tion" that it was subject to the ape; proval of congress. In transmit- ting the document the president paid he had intended to send it to the serl-g ate after ratification of the peace treaty. K
 The agreement covered all vesssls captured, seized or detained by any of the allied or associated goveyn-s ments.