GERMAN SHIPS FOR BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1919, Page 5

GERMAN SHIPS FOR BRITAIN.

2,250,000 TONS CLAIMED. Of the 3,000,000 gross tons of German shipping to be divided among the Allies by the Reparation Commission after the peace is ratified, Britain expects, and intends to hold out for, three-quarters of that amount—2,2so,ooo tons. The position is a delicate and complicated one, an official of the Ministry of Shipping explained, and intricate negotiations of an international 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 the German ships surrendered 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 ivhich 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 this in mind: All these ships are passenger ships and bulk larger in the mind of the public than do cargo steamers. Great Britain has a very large fleet of cargo vessels which formerly flew the German flag now carrying out Government programmes on our behalf. These ships have been taken over by the Ministry of Shipping, and are being run and managed by well-known firms. "These ships came under our control by the armistice terms. By the peace terms we expect to add materially to this tonnage." Asked whether several large German liners, not allotted, were still in Germany, although they should have been handed over under the terms of the armistice, the official said:—

"There are eight ships of this description. Here is the latest report we iiave on their condition:

Berlin, 17,324 tons, a German armed merchant cruiser; interned in Norway; requires extensive boiler repairs. Should •be delivered to us soon.

Bismarck, 50,000 tons, not in commiscion yet; still in Germany. Columbus, 35,000 tons, building. Genoa, 11,500 tons, building. Johann Heinrich Burchard, 19,528 tons, nearly ready. Munchen, 12,000 tons, building. Tirpitz, 19,300 tons, building. .

Victoria Luiße, 10,703 tons, in a very bad condition. We have examined her and decided that she is not worth asking for. "We want our due—that is all. Great Britain lost 7,G35,020 tons of shipping through enemy action. If she gets threequarters of the German fleet, as she expects, the discrepancy will still be over 0,000,000 tons."—Daily ■Mail.