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Show GERMANS SEE BIG THINGS IN I SHIPPING DEAL Opening of Steamer Routes to American Vessels Called Momentous Event HAMBURG HOPES TO REGAIN PROSPERITY Teuton Says Agreement Is 9. Trial at Resumption of Good Relations HAM 01 TIC. July 18. As further particulars come to light regarding the ;.greement between lhe Hamburg American Steamship company and the American Ship and Commerce cor poralion by which lhe former trade routes are to be opened to American shipping, lhe belief Is deepening in shipping and financial circles here that it constitutes one of the most momentous events for Germany since , the war. Through it the Ctonnejns see means 'of regaining touch with the outside world and an opportunity for Hamburg to re-establish semblance, at least, of her former position as a great port. Out apart from the commercial benefits bene-fits expected the Germans attach much political significance to the agreement. agree-ment. This wax emphasized today by Wllhelni Cuno general manager or the Hamburg -American line, who in an interview in-terview with th Associated Press, declared NEW RELATIONS. "I call your especial attention lo the , fact that the agreement must not only be considered fnni a business viewpoint, view-point, but must be regarded as a trial al re-establishing good relations between be-tween the lo countries. The way we have taken will be the only possible one lo resume relations between Germany a,nd foreign countries In the near fu lure. The war left a deep gulf between be-tween the bclllgt rent countries and disorganized their economic order The normal state of things .can only he restored re-stored if representatives of economic interests endeavor to link mutual interests in-terests in a new and more binding connection con-nection than was possible In pre-war times " It is understood there Is no foundation founda-tion or reports printed In German newspaper- thai American ships would be placed at the Hamburg-American lines' disposal. HOW ABOUT SHIPS? Where the German line will secure ships enough to enable it to operate 5n per cent ot the vessels on the routes lo be re-Opened under the agreement Ifl a subject of Iceen speculation lu re According to best information it will be able to lease a considerable number num-ber in neutral countries and from Great Dritain. Other ships eventually wi. be built in German shipyards, That a huge shipbuilding program is contemplated not onl) bj the Ham burg-Amei ican company, bu' by other German lines is evidenced by prepara lions now in progress. A meeting of leading shipbuilders and t-ieel manufacturers manu-facturers will be held this week to discuss dis-cuss the amount of material available In Germany for new construction. It is believed lliat if the conference discloses dis-closes that sufficient material cannot be had, arrangements will be made to Import American steel, which, at the present rate of exchange, can be laid down cheaper than the German prod ucL Meantime on the lower end of Ham-1 burg harbor a new shipbuilding plant, which, it is said, la destined to be the! largest In Europe, is hearing completion. comple-tion. The Hamburg American lino is I one of the principal stockholders in this concern, which will begin opera Hons within 18 "lays and facilities for quickly doubling its capacity. MAJOR STKOKE. WASHINGTON, luly 19. Final details de-tails of the agreement between thu Hamburg-American ine and the American Am-erican ship and Commerce corporation corpora-tion have not yet been worked out, Chairman Benson, of the shipping: board, said today, but as soon as they are, the agreement will be made known. It Is contemplated, ho said,, to allow Qennuny to reconstruct hei shipping trade on a "fifty-fifty" basis Developments of the former Hamburg-American line trade routes by American shipping is regarded by Chairman Henson as a major stroke in placing the American merchant marine ma-rine on a sure footing in i . -operation I with the mercantile fleets ,,i the world. ' I |