South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-02-21
WILSON EXPLAINS
FALSE CHARGES
Denies Any Agreement With
England on Sale of Ex-
.a German Ships.

0cONTNUED FROM PAGE oNE1
ly in the case OF Brazil, China, Cuba,
sism and the United States. eS-
ceeds the value OF tonnage lost dur
ing the war. a reasonable value for
such excess shall be determined and
that amount paid by the holder
state 10 the reparations committee
for the credit Of Germany toward
The sums due from her for repara-
tion, in respect 20 war losses of mer-
chant ships"
Explains Allied pool"
How American payments into the
the allied poor would be com
putsd under the proposed agree
ment should losses sustained By the
United States be less than the value
OF German tonnage taken N-er dur
ing the war, was explained by
Chairman Payne.
At the direction OF the president,
an appraisal OF the vessels was
made by the secretary OF the navy
when they were taken over I'm June,
1917. According TO published re-
ports. tho Ravys appraisal Of 80
vessels aggregating $4,000 gross
tons. was s34,193,19O. This ap-
praisal. tho chairman said. took into
account the damage done TO the
ships by their crews before relin-
gushing them and represents their
values for the purposes of the pro-
posed agreement.
1--WE take the ships absolutely,
title free Chairman Payne stated,
"and when we come 20 settle with
Germany we put in the common
pool the difference between our
losses and the appraised value Of
The ships"
Wilson's Message.
The presidents message TO the
senate follows:
Il have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt Of resolution
passed By the senate on Feb. IA re-
questing the president TO inform
thar body whether any. and if so,
what, agreement or understanding
existed between him and officials Of
Great Britain concerning the dispo-
sition by the United States Of Amer
lea Of the German ships which the
shipping board is proposing 20 sell,
or which were acquired by the Unit
ed 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
Nav 10. 1917. authorizing the presi-
cent to take over for the United
States the possession and title Of any
vessel within its jurisdiction under
enemy ownership or under the reg
istry OF an enemy country. The gov
eminent OF the United States IS not
IN possession OF any ex-German yes
Sells except those taken over under
this resolution. Under an armistice
agreement between the German gov
eminent and the allied and asso-
ciated powers certain German yes
sells were taken over primarily for
the transport Of food to Europe, IN
GLIDING Germany. and for the trans
portation Of troops. OF the tonnage
so taken over, certain passenger YES
esls were ailocated TO the United
states temporarily for the purpose
~ rspatriating American soldiers.
when the transportation Of our
goops was completed, these vessels
Il sv4 a "a O. A.
Nth the agreement under which
bAsy we're temporarily allocated 10
bhis government for such use.
No Agreement Exists.
"Thsra il not nor has there beer
hsry agreement or understanding be-
kwsen the president of the United
ksasss and officials OF Great Britain
koacSrning the sale OF the eX-Ger-
kahn vessels IN possession OF the
klaktsd states nor IS there any
aSxesnsat or understanding with
kaSOsot 20 what disposition shall be
bsada 81 these ships by the United
BsA4es.
II balSs~e the above information
kusly Hnswsrs the senate inquiry.
however. / am transmitting here
nsfkh a draft Of a proposed under
handing IN regard 20 eN-enemy mer-
kasnt tonnage 70 which l have given
kssent. subject TO future action or
bongrsss. as provided therein. Al
hcugh this understanding which
Recognizes Americas right with re-
Fard 70 German vessels taken IN our
-srts. does not relate 20 the dispo-
aitfon Of such vessels by the Unit
"a States. am nevertheless. trans
hitting IL In order that the senate
knay be IN possession of all the in
Formation there is In any way re-
HATING 10 the vessels in question. /
have intended TO submit this 10 con
kress a. the appropriate time, after
Fhe ratification OF the treaty with
Germany.
Osigned1 Woodrow Wilson,
30. February. 1920