The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1919. THE SURRENDERED GERMAN WARSHIPS.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1919, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1919. THE SURRENDERED GERMAN WARSHIPS.

The fate of the surrendered German fleet appears likely to become a controversy at the Peace Conference, consequent on the difference of opinion as to how they should be dealt with. It is not to be wondered at that when the question first arose as to the ultimate fate of these ships, the suggestion was promptly made to sink them and thus end their career, but there is no official warranty that either Britain or the United States seriously contemplated the adoption of that suggestion, though there are statements on record which seem to favor sinking as the solution of the problem. In view of American policy to make the United States navy equal to the greatest navy in the world, it is quite* conceivable that the sinking of the German warships, instead of distributing them among the Allies, would appear to be a satisfactory plan, for distribution would mean that Britain would receive the largest share and so increase America's burden of construction, if her ambitious naval i&ojgr^mmei

were to materialise. Against that, however, must be placed two very strong arguments. According to pronouncements by British authorities, these warships are utterly worthless, and that breaking them up would involve unjustifiable expense. Then, again, it has been stated that Britain will fall into line as to reduction of armaments and reduce her navy to its pre-war strength, a suggestion having been made that the surplus warships should be distributed among the Dominions so as to form the nucleus of Dominion navies. The proposal to sink the warships is vigorously opposed by France, by whom a claim is made to a share of this spoil. To the ordinary lay mind, looking at the matter from a business-like point of view, to sink ships that have cost many millions to construct, and must contain engines and other parts that could be made serviceable, would be an act of unjustifiable waste, at a time when waste is super-criminal. There are! three obvious methods of disposing of these warships—by sinking, scrapping, or by sale (either by tender or auction), putting asid-j their distribution as being inadvisable. Of these alternatives, sinking would undoubtedly be the easiest and speediest, but the waste is so shocking that it is almost unthinkable it should be perpetrated. Scrap Ding involves heavy expense.-, and- unless the end justifies the means is impolitic. There only maain:-; the question of sale, and that appears to be the only satisfactory method, provided care is taken ibat the purchasers are limited to Allied nations. By this means France, and p'-obably Italy, could replenish i I heir navies without any possible | ohauee of becoming a menace to I the world's peace. Besides being In-good way out of the difficulty, jilie purchasers would be able at j a moderate cost to make the ships serviceable, and it would be an act of grace to give them the opportunity if they so desire. Certainly the United States could not reasonably object, while the money received could b'e utilised for the work of reparation, or the payment of losses inflicted on merchantmen by submarines. Whatever these warships may be worth—little or much—they are an asset for which the Allies are trustees, an/I it is therefore desirable there should be a sane policy exercised in determining how they shall be disposed of. It is noteworthy that the more recent opinion expressed by the American press is in favor of selling the material, but it would be unwise to incur the cost of scrapping, or sell the ships on condition that they would be broken up, unless a satisfactory return is ensured. Lord Lytton recently stated that the British Government was strongly of opinion that the ships should not be added to any existing fleet, and he personally favored a sale by auction. Taking all the. circumstances into consideration it would appear that a sale by auction or tender would be by far the best way out of the difficulty, and the most businesslike. In the light of recent events in Germany it is just as well for the Teutons that these warships were surrendered, as they might have caused an addition to the troubles they are now undergoing. So far as Germany is concerned these warships have gone for ever and cannot be ro placed. The Peace Confer™*a should have no difficulty in anting at an acceptable decision on this matter, wherein Britain and tbe United States will luuc the preponderating influence, while if France and Italy are given the opportunity to purchase, they, too, may be expected to cast their votes in favor of the only scheme which is supported by common sense and based on sound economic principles.