The New York herald., 1921-10-02

American crews who stay with their
ships for years, as the Germans 90, the
American lines complain OF an unrest
which makes II impossible for them TO
build up a solid organization. This
they are meeting by gradually increas-
ing the number of Germans employed
on American ships. Now the cooks.
stewards and some of the crew are
being recruited in Bremen and Ham
burg. At some posts knowledge OF sew
eral languages Is necessary. Only the
Germans have this So important ad-
ministrative posts on American ships
as that of purser are being filled by
Englishmen. and no doubt in short
time will be filled on many lines by
Germans, simply because the necessary
Americans at present have not been
trained.
This Is a dependence which, though
strength now. might cripple American
shipping at some future date. Talk OF
conspiracy or political danger at present
behind all this Is absurd. 1t cannot.
however. be overlooked that this will
turn very positively to the advantage
of the Germans when they put their
own ships back on the sea.
There Is no reason to talk CT gratitude
on either side In these shipping agree
ments They are plain expediency. These
agreements can best be appreciated when
H. Is remembered that American ship
ping lines are confronted by almost in
surmountable obstacles. Inexperienced
crews, high wages and extensive con-
veniences and safety appliances are only
q few Of the items which put American
ships under handicap In international
trade competition.
1t Is probable therefore. that Ameri-
can need OF German collaboration In
central European trade will be as long
II not longer than Ger1nany's need OF
such agreements as those now existing.
That the Harriman-Hapag agreement
runs for twenty years therefore has ad-
vantages over the five year North Ger
man Lloyd United States Mail arrange
ment. The North German Lloyd, Tor
example, makes no secret OF their inten-
ton to break away at the first oppor-
tunity.
At the same time from an American
patriotic point Of view the North Ger
man Lloyd agreement has something
to be said In its favor In that the Amer
ican line keeps full freedom, USING
merely the Germans as agents Tor five
years The Hapag understanding leaves
both companies integral units but Is
more Of O partnership. Hapag adver-
tises the American as well as German
ships under the Hapag name, putting
as little emphasis here as possible upon
the American name.
Difference I'm Two Cities.
Ny brief Impressions, however. were
that the people of Hamburg ana more
inclined to build up substantial give
and-take relations with America than
those Of Bremen. could not but leel
in the latter city O nationalism so in
tense that they tolerate rather than
really welcome collaboration with Amer
leans. In Hamburg close financial re-
latons between the two countries do
much to take the edge off of German
particularism and to make closer col
laboration possible.
Bremen insists upon being world
port despite sandbars and a stream.
the Weser, which does not permit much
hinterland traffic. The North German
Lloyd has It's own railroad station.
Their officials ride on the trains to
Bremerhaven. The railroad line makes
an enormous circuit about the port,
covering what seem to be miles of un-
necessary cow pastures. All this space
outside the town was intended for port
installations. new locks and new har-
bors. Ground had already been broken
for these enormous works and had not
would doubtless have been completed by
now.
There were numerous freighters In
port. most Of them carrying cargoes Of
cotton. Despite efforts of Hamburg
and Rotterdam to attract cotton to their
ports Bremen continues to be the centre
OF this very important commerce. 1t Is
here in the warehouses Of the free ports
that 10000 bales are now stored and
sold piecemeal to the German mills.
1t is here, too. that the central European
market prices are fixed.
There were two American passenger
ships. former North German Lloyd
liners, and several American freighters.
Two British ships were in drydock.
There was Greek ship stalled for
want OF return cargo. A dilapidated
Cuban passenger ship OF some 10000
tons was In receivers hands for inabil-
ity to pay port charges. The only ac-
tive loading and unloading aside from
these two American passenger ships,
where return cargoes also were short,
was Of the small German freighters.
These are making regular sailings with
ample cargoes. There can be no doubt
that German passengers and cargoes
go to German ships as soon as there
are enough of them again on the sea.
~ thAo SAsCAit ~ lcdSb tic OeILudnS
are sticking together.
There is sumptuousness and ornate
ness about the North German line office
building. which also can be traced In
the outlook of the men who run II.
Close to the old Hohenzollern dynasty
and long in working agreement with
the Krupp interests the North German
Lloyd has staff which Is highly pat
riotic and not unlike the irreconcilable
old servitors one sees about royal pal
aces.
Returning splendor visionsd.
The buildings may be trifle empty
but the faithful servitors have visions
of returning splendor which console
them for their lot. This showed itself
recently In the agitation In which Presi-
dent Heineken Of the North German
Lloyd took a leading part to keep the
old black-white-red instead of the gold
black-red republican flag Of the seas.
The North German Lloyd has kept
its administrative personnel complete,
ofi1cials Of the line told me. Crews have
OF course been discharged and obliged
to find work elsewhere. But the COM
pany keeps In contact with them so that
they can be engaged again at some later
date. Living is not easy for German
sailors. They have been obliged TO take
up all manner of trades. Many sea cap
tains are now running river boats Some
Of them are night watchmen. One had
been taken back as pilot on a former
German. now American ehfn Anothar