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Show FAVOR SINKING ! HUNJpiPSj American Delegates to the Peace Congress Advocate Advo-cate the Policy. Would Support Wilson's Idea of No Acquisition of Property. PARIS, Pec. 18. Tho American delegates dele-gates to the peace congress have resolved re-solved to advocate the sinking of the ; surrendered enemy warships and resist "any proposition to distribute them on . the basis of naval losses. This announcement an-nouncement is made by those in close touch with the American representatives, ; who, it is added, feel that such a position posi-tion would result in avoiding contention : and materially support President Wilson's ; declaration that the war was not based ; on aggression or the acquisition of property. prop-erty. England, through Sir Eric Oeddes, first lord of the admiralty, had previously acquiesced ac-quiesced in the American plan to destroy the captured or surrendered warships, and, it is declared, will continue to support sup-port the United States, although it is expected ex-pected that some of the lesser naval powers pow-ers will demand that the prizes be distributed. dis-tributed. To Maintain Stations. American naval stations will be maintained main-tained for at least a year at Brest, Gibraltar Gi-braltar and in the Azores to render aid to American merchant ships. The consent con-sent of France, England and Portugal has already been secured. The aero and radio stations at these points will be in readiness to respond to calls for aid by American shipping in distress, and facilities facili-ties will be afforded for needed repairs and supplies. Although the plana have not been developed, de-veloped, it is believed in naval circles thai the shipping board desires the continuance con-tinuance of the manning of its ships with naval officers and crews until private capital is organized to undertake the great task of operating thousands of merchant vessels. Will Abandon Some. Tho other naval establishments in Europe Eu-rope have been ordered abandoned as rapidly as possible and progress in this direction has already been considerable. The United States navy had twenty-seven twenty-seven aero stations along the European coast, the material of which, except at Brest, Gibraltar and the Azores, is being be-ing shipped home. Naval transports, relieved re-lieved of carrying munitions, will hereafter here-after convey food supplies. It is expected that the army also will soon be able to use a number of its transports similarly on eastern voyages. Demobilization of the naval personnel has been ordered to proceed rapidly On the basis of the transfer to the reserve lists of men and officers of good character char-acter and physique. The needs of the new merchant marine, it is calculated, will absorb as large a proportion of such reservists as is desired. |