The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-25
WILL REDOJBtE EFFORT
TO FEED ENTENTE

WILL REDoJ BILE III Foht
TO FEED ENTENTE
Washington, April 24.-The first re-
suit Of the consultations here be
tween the British members Of the
international high commission and
American officials will be the redouh-
ling of the energies being spent for
obtaining commercial ships for carry
ing foodstnGs to Europe.
This was learned tonight following
detached conferences today and the
cabinet meeting this afternoon The
British commissioners let it be known
diplomaticsIlv 10 American officials
that The allies could use" nearly
twice as many ships as are now avail
a bic in the American merchant ma
rine.
He said the great good the Amer
can navy could do was a general toplT
amorg officers of the French army
Frenchmen we'll know that the Amer
lean navy had never lost battle, he
stated and in the few leisure hour
men on French warships now have
to themselves the great sea fighters
this country had produced such as
Farragut Dewey. Schley. Evans ard
their fellow fighters we're mentioned
and the character OF each brought
out
Figures as to the number of Amer
lean ships available for the trans
Atlantic trade were considered by the
British commissioners at a meeting
at noon today held in the British
embassy. when II was decided that
with all the ships America has TO
place a their disposal at the pres
cnt tune, if the German submarine
| campaign continues on the same scale
/ AS IN the past two months, the avail
able tonnage could not be depended
upon to carry sufficient grain to pre-
vent u scarcity of bread in Europe.
The present food shortage among
the entente nations, 1t was stated,
has been caused by a lack Of ocear,
/ tonnage almost entirely. Sufficient
quantities of grain to relieve the pres
ent situation could Ire obtained from
Australia. without touching the chi
ted States SUPP y, If enough ships
/ were available
Reports upon the situation have al
ready been given to Secretary Of State
Lansing and the council Of national
defense by the commissioners, It was
learned
More Ship4--and Vet More.
/ President Wilson's cabinet this af-
tcrnoon was informed of the neces-
sity of providing more vessels thar
had been planned by this government
The problem of further increasing the
number of ships Lad been taken NJ
: previously by President Wilson anc
2 William Denman, chairman of The
United States shipping board.
Following the cabinet meeting, t
5 was learned that while no final de
> cision was reached. a new survey o
, existing shipbuilding facilities prob
ably viii be made to determin
? whether the government cannot in
e crease its program for the construc
= ton of an immense feet of woodeI
Y vessels.
1 With every available shipyard al
= ready supplied with orders for com
l mercial ships. il is admitted that Sc
rious doubt exists as to whether
:. sufficient increase can be made.
The present tonnage, with the i'm
4 mense feet of wooden vessels sched
uled to be built, would be sufficient
=, It is believed. were II not for the fac
that number Of them will undoubt
e cdly be sunk by submarines. Plan
G TO increase the available Tonnage
V We're being considered by PRACTICAL.
all officials today. Plans for tn
financing of the allies occupied sec
+, ond place.
Real wor kon the shipping prob
lens Will begin possibly Friday, which
will be participated in by the Frencl
Y commission.
Most of today was spent by tn
, British officials in social calls ant
getting further acquainted will
I American officials
The principal event was recep
! ton tonight at the Pan American
building given i nhonor of Mr.. Bal
tours party by Secretary of Stat
Lansing. Government officials. in
, GLIDING President Wilson. Secretar r,
= Lansing, Counselor Polk, the presi
| dents cabinet and large numbe
OF army and navy officials attended
Mr. Balfour spent today in confer
ring with members Of his commits
: sion and in social calls. Tie was III,
guest of Henry =. White, forme
} American ambassador to France. 70
luncheon. Later Mr. Balfourf wen
10 the White House for a social cal
upon Mrs. Wilson. From there h,
: went to the home of Secretary o
} State Lansing for lea served by Mrs
Lansing.
Another day wall be given up t.
preparation for work tomorrow.
The British commission will go il
a body to the Washington navy yart
to greet the French commissioners
upon their arrival at noon, and Iatel
will meet them socially.
The first serious discussions of tn,
lpresent international problems viii
lproba bly, not he held until Friday