DISPOSITION OF GERMAN WARSHIRS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 76, 31 March 1919, Page 5

DISPOSITION OF GERMAN WARSHIRS

NO DECISION REACHED.

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association)

PARIS, March %% Sir Rosslyn Wemyss Lord" of the British Admiralty), Admiral Benson (Chief l of Operations* State’s Navy), and Mr Josephus Daniels (Secretary of the United States Navy) conferred regarding the disposition of German warships. No decision was reached-

AMERICAN VIEWS,

NEW YORK, March 28.

A New York Times -Paris message reports that the American memorandum regarding the disposition of the German Navy will be preseiited to thfe Peace Congress and will probably be I adopted. The Americans, tacitly favour the sinking of ; the German ships. They declare that an increase of naval strength, in European waters is unnecessary because the German Naval menace has been removed. They also oppose the distribution of the captured navy, and point out that if the distribution is based on naval losses, the largest share would be given to Britain, which would necessitate greatly increasing the United States naval outlay tcf enable the United States to maintain a navy equalling Britain’s. The Americans contend that it is essential that the United States should have a navy equal to Britain’s because the League must be strong enough, if necessary, 'uT'restrain its strongest member. The American view is that any reduction of United States naval strength would weaken the United States’ influence in world affairs and limit hfer ability to render service to the League of Nations. It is also asserted that submarines of all nations must be destroyed. The memorandum adds that high British officers have justified Germany’s U-boat warfare on the grounds of military necessity.