Evening star., 1950-02-05
| Shipping
German Issue
BY james DevIin


man Lloyd Line. that once oper-
ated the big transatlantic
liners Bremen and Europa, now
runs only a floating hotel and
a river steamer.
The decline of this steamship
company, with its lack of ocean,
going vessels. typif1es the post
war state of Germany's once
strong merchant marine.
Whether the newly founded
Western Republic is going to be
permitted to build modern mer-
chant ships again has become
one OF the hottest issues in Ger
many since the Allies relented
in their dismantling of German
factories.
The British and French posi-
ton is that present restrictions
on German shipbuilding are
necessary for military security
reasons.
American officials here take a
more lenient view - on the
ground that the restrictions are
running up German costs that
eventually filter back to the
American taxpayer.
The Allies last year authorized
Germany to build ships up to
1920 tons and up to a speed of
IL knots-whether for herself
or for other nations except
that she can build 10000 tons
OF other ships that are big and
slow or small and fast.
Shipyards Idle
But the Gemans have vet to
begin building, or even to place
an order for one of the ships.
They say the restricted vessels
are obsolete before they are
bu1lt-with no chance of get
ting business in competition
with big is and 20 knot ships
Oh oJner nations.
American officials here said
the result is:
l. While tthe European Re-
covery Program is pouring mil
lions of dollars into Germany,
Germany is forced to reject mil
lions Of dollars worth of foreign
orders for ships because she is
not allowed to build them big
and fast enough.
The British argument is that
If Germany is permitted the
ways and other facilities TOR
building such ships for other
nations, she would want to build
them for herself. too.
2. Germany is being charged
at least 1926, 100000 a year to
have her exports and imports
carried in other nations ships.
The Americans say she cannot
pay this under present economic
conditions-and that it adds to
the bill the American public
must assume.
8. Germany's virtually idle
.shipyards contribute to unem-
ployment among shipbuilders
and contributory workers ouch
as ship chambers at a time
when American officials want
Germany to become self-sup-
porting.
One German Order
American officials decline COM
ment on German shipbuilders'
contentious that Britain insists
on the restrictions for economic
as well as military security.
Americans have figures mere,
however, indicating Britair is
building $500. 100000 worth of
ships for foreign natter MS, while
~Germany's one current export
order is for a Cotton lake steam
er for Austria.
German shipbuilders look /.
ruefully at a recent South
American order for 10 tankers
Of $4,000 tons eacf. with speed
of 14ha knots.
The Germans say Sweden
won an order to build six at
$2,150,000 each, and Britain
four at $2,300,0 900 each.
They told American officials
they could have done the whole
job for $2,000,000 each, or less,
except that they are not allowed
to build vessels Of that size and
speed.
The Allies--Americans, British
and French-made their de-
cision April Ia. 1949. to allow
the Germans to build up to
1900 tons.
distributed By the Associated Press.)
Il