New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-03
u. S. to Take Over
All Ships Flying
The Nations Flag
Steel Exports to Japan to
Stop Unless Vessels
Aid in War

Washington, Aug. 2.-The imperative
Mood Of ships in the transatlantic SER
vice was disclosed to-day in indIca-
tons that the Shipping Board is pre-
paring to commander all American
tonnage, and in an order issued by
President Wilson which has the effect
of cutting off steel exports to Japan
unless Japanese vessels are diverted
to war uses.
The Presidents instructions were is
sued to the division of export licenses
and provide that no steel or iron
products shall go TO allied countries
unless they are to be used for actual
war purposes or will contribute directly
to prosecution of the war.
Japan has been a large buyer OF
American ship plates and has been
building up a great merchant Meet
About per cent of her tonnage is In
the Atlantic, and the remainder scar
rying Pacific cargoes at extremely high
rates.
The order Is as follows:
First. That all shipments TO those ma
tions associated with the United states IN
the war are. until further instructions 10
be licensed freely. without reservation ana
without restrictions. except iron and steer
plates, pig iron. iron and steel scrap ana ana
and steel billets, for which licenses snail
be granted only in case said articles are
destined for actual war purpoces or VIII
directly contribute thereto
Second Licenses which may be properly
issued will be granted for shipments OF all
iron and steel plates and structural shapes.
and other articles properly included under
these general headings, under the follow
ing conditions only:
IN The APPLICATION for such license
must be received by the Department OF
Commerce, division Of export licenses,
Washington. d. C.. on or before August
(2DSuch articles shall be completely
made up and manufactured on or before
August 10, 1917.
~ Such license shall be valid. and shall
indicate that it is valid, only in case such
shipments are covered by railroad or ocean
bill Of lading dated on or before August 10,
1917.
Meaning of Explosives
With respect 70 the general term Eek
plosives," used in the proclamation OF the
President on July 9. 1917. the following
chemicals are included in its meaning:
Ether alcohol, sulphur. sulphuric acid
and its salts, acetone, nitric ecid and its
salts, derivatives of bcnzol, phenol (car-
bolic acid and its derivatives. derivatives
of toluol, mercury and its salts. ammonia
and its salts, glycerine. potash and its
salts. all cyanides.
The Shipping Board probably will an.
nounce a Communicating programme
within few days. It will call for the
requisitioning of ships under author
ity recently given 70 the President by
Congress and probably will include ar.
rangements for turning the vessels bach
to their owners for actual operation
The government, it Is said, has no de
sire to operate the vessels itself, but
through control of charters can direct
| trade routes and at the same time car
lower ocean freight rates.
Coastwise tonnage and vessels taken
off South American runs to be put Ia
carrying supplies to Europe probably
would be replaced in large part by neu.
trail ships. Both Norway and Holland
, are ready to release a large amount OF
tonnage for Allied use in return fol
food shipments. A resolution pending
in Congress, drawn by Administration
officials, would permit vessels of for
eign registry to ply between American
ports.
The British and American govern
ments have about reached an agree
ment for a joint control of all the
worlds tonnage, and the shipping
boards move toward Communicating is
preliminary step in that arrange.
ment. Under the plan the United
| States would operate most of the
neutral tonnage and Great Britain
would have under its control Allied
ships. The arrangement would be used
also to bring down freight rates.
Great Britain, il was learned TO
day, is about ready 70 recall British
ships that have been put at the dis
posal of her allies. Continued sink
| ings are said TO have made il nee.
essary that every British vessel be
used in supplying the British people
I and armies.
The Shipping Board has just put
| into operation its control over coast
wise freight rates, and will begin with
l in a short time 10 hear complaints
| Il has no power to fix rate schedules
| but on complaint can order specific
rates cut if they are found discrimina
| tory.