Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-07-20
Germans Look to
 Liner Deal to
 Help Conditions

American steamshop 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 deepening in shipping and financial circles here that it constitutes one of the most momentous events for Germany since the war. Through it the Germans see the means of re- gaining touch with the outside world and an opportunity for Hamburg to re-establish semblance, at least of it's former position as a great port.
 The Germans also attach much po- litical significance to the agreement. This was emphasized today by Will helm Cuno, general manager of the Hamburg American line, who in an interview with the Associated Press declared:
 q recall your especial attention to the fact that the agreement must not only be considered from business viewpoint, but must be regarded as trial at re-establishing good rela- tions between the two countries. The way we have taken will be the only positive one to resume relations be- tween Germany and foreign countries in the near future. The war left deep gulf between the belligerent countries and disorganized the entire economic order. The normal state of things can only be restored if rep resentatives of the economic enter into interests endeavor to bring mu- tual interests in a new and binding connection than was possible in pre- war times.'
 Herr Cuno stated the Spa confer ence supplied the "best proof that cooperation of nations cannot be ef- fected by victorious government dictating decrees to beaten govern ment."
 "The experience of our negotiations with United States confirms this," continued Herr Cuno. "From the first day we took up discussions with the full conference that this first renewal of friendship on an import ant and vital point would have to be sincere and binding"
 Herr Cuno said he was satisfied the agreement would prove success, believing it would be the reopenng of peaceful working relations be- tween the countries.
 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 subject of keen spec ulation here. According to best in- formation it will be able to lease a considerable number in neutral countries and from Great Britain.
 That a huge ship building pro- gram is contemplated not only by the Hamburg American company but by other German lines is evidenced by proposals now pending. It is be- l lieved that if the conference dis closes that sufficient material can not be had, arrangements will be mad to import American steel, which at the present rate can be laid down cheaper than the Ger man product.
 1 Meantime on the lower end of Hamburg harbor a new ship building l plant which, it is said, is destined
 to be the largest in Europe, is nearly
 completed The Hamburg American
 line is one of the principle stock
 holders in this concern, which will
 begin operations within IS days and
 facilities for quickly doubling its l capacity. Building, rather than charterine 1 vessels, is expected to be the Ham ] burg American line aim, owing to
 the necessity of securing uniformity
 of ships employed in the joint service I Contrary to belief prevalent 1T Germany that the German ship build
 ing is futile task as the bulk o1
 new tonnage will have to be turned
 over to the allies, it is asserted here
 that the question of tonnage Ger
 many must deliever within the mex
 two years remain unsettled and tha the amount is still indefinitely placed at "up to 100000 tons."
 Before the war German ship yard turned out about S00,000 tons O shipping annually. If the yards sue ceed in obtaining credits and ma
 terials enable them to resume ol
 their former scale, it is believed onl! few years will elapse before Ger
 many again will possess an impos ing merchant marine. Trade organ izations of the shipping companies are said to remain intact and they have 60,000 unemployed sailors tc draw upon to man new vessels. Washington, July 19.-The fina
 details of the agreement between the Hamburg-American line and the |.American- Ship and Commerce Cor poration have not yet been worked out, Chairman Benson of the ShiS- ping Board said today, but as soon as they are the agreement will be made public. It is contemplated, the chairman said, to allow Germany to reconstruct her shipping trade on a fifty-fifty basis.
 \ Development of the former Ham,
 burg American line trade routes by
 American shipping is regarded by Il Chairman Benson as major stroke
 in placing the American merchant
 marine on a sure footing in compar- II %b, pt.1a floofs of +ha