SEIZED GERMAN STEAMERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 28, 28 October 1919, Page 5

SEIZED GERMAN STEAMERS

A PLEA FROM FRANCE

BRITAIN'S CLAIMS REVIEWED

By TelezraDh—l'rejs Association—Oopyriehl Atlanta City, Octobor 21. Baron Touchot, the l-'rench delegate to the International Trade Conference, in a speech, said (hat the German vessels in the hands of the United States Shipping Board should bo allotted to France', and French vessels on requisition to the United Stales should be returned shortly, Tho United states should grant liberal terms for vessels bought by Frenchmen from the United Stnles.-.V.is.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

|Of the 3,000,0(10 gross tons of Gorman shipping to be- divided among the Allies by the Reparation Commission after the poaco is ratified, llrilniii expects and intends to hold out for threo-ipiarlers of that amount—2,!>*ifl.ofifi lons. Tho position (slates tho "Daily Mail") is a delicate and a complicated one, an official at the Ministry of Shipping explained, and intricate negotiations of an interna, tional character have yet to be completed. Still, it is not going too far to say that the above figures approximate the result that will be ultimately attained. In the meantime, the allocation and use of tho German ships sur. rendered at the armistice meets with considerable criticism, and the British carrying trade has more than once expressed the opinion that other countries were reaping benefits which should by right accrue to Great Britain. "This is the fortune of war," the Ministry of Shipping official remarked. "There'is no doubt that the Americans have come out very well on paper. But bear .his in mind: all these ships aro passenger ships and bulk larger in the mind of tho public than do cargo sldanurs. Great Britain has a very largo fleet of cargo vessels which formerly flow the German flag now carrying out Government programmes on our behalf. These ships have been taken over by the Ministry of Shipping and aro being run and managed by wellknown firms. These ships came under our control by the armistice terms. By the peace terms we expect to add materially to tliii tonnage." Asked whether several large German liners, not allotted, were still in Germany, although I hey should have been handed over under the terms of the armistice, the official said: "There are eight slips of this description. Here is the latest report we have on their condition: Berlin. 17,3*21 tons, a German armed merchant cruiser. Interned in Norway; requires extensive boiler repairs. Should be delivered to us this week. Bismarck, f.li.flOO tens. Not in commission yet. Si ill in Germany. Columbus, 35,1100 tons, building. Genoa. 11,500 tons, building. Johann Jfeinrich Burchard, 19,582 tons, nearly ready. Jluuchen, 12,000 tons, building. Tirpitz, 1!),:100 tons, building. Victoria. Luisc, Ifi.vfl.'i tons, in very bad condiiion. Wo have examined her and decided that she is not worth asking for. "We want mu* due. That is all. Great Britain lost 7.G35.020 tons of shipping through enemy action. If she g=ts threequarters of the German Beet, as she expects, the discrepancy will still be over 5,000,000 tons."]