Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-12-05
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WASHINGTON. D. c., Nov. "a
Negotiations for the transfer OF pos,
Sibly 400.oOo tons OF Japanese cargOt
ships from the Pacific to the war Zonea
in the Atlantic and along trade routes,
where they will relieve ships schedule
ed 10 go into war zone trade IS uear'
ing a head and officials here believe ,
il will be a matter OF only q few
weeks before the first japanese YES.
sells are brought through the Panama
canal.
In return for their ships the Japan
csc are to receive a release OF steel
from the United States for structural
work approximately 100000 tons was
the original estimate OF steel asked
by the Japanese. and whether 1t will
be possible to release so large q guam,
tity is the principal point now undar
consideration The Japanese claim the
steel is wanted for war purposes and
for the construction Of more ships.
Officials realize that Japan IS an
ally and that her war and post bellum
needs must be taken into Considera,
ton even in spite Of the fact that our
own ship construction program is cali
Tag upon every available ounce OF
steel produced in the states.
1t is still a question how far trans
fer of tonnage from the Pacific to
the Atlantic will affect cargo-carry.
the Orient Schedules are now beinC
worked out by the United States ship
ping board that will cali number OF
Pacific ships, especially those now
operating in the coastwise trade, to
the Atlantic, but E. F. Carey. director
Of transportation Of the board in
charge of the work, IS trying to effect
a schedule that will result in the least
possible shortage to west coast and
Philippine as well as Asiatic shippers.
The necessity for increasing cargo
tonnage between the United States
and Europe to carry supplies to our
troops and allies has become so acute
that 1t will be necessary to call every
spare ton of shipping into the busl-
ness Of carrying war supplies. Pacific
liners, where obtainable, and smaller
transpacific craft will be diverted in
TO the war traffic. Smaller craft will
be put in the coastwise trade to fill
the places of vessels requisittoned
from either the Atlantic or Pacific
for war business.
AS far as possible, officials Of the
shipping board declare, they will al
low no shippers to suffer seriously by
taking all the trade vessels off their
regular routes, but it will be neces'
sary to limit shipping facilities to
meet the war demands.
Arrangements are also being made
to buy ships from tie Northern
Europe neutrals.t Scandinavia and
Holland have a number Of ships in
United States waters being held be-
cause of the embargo on the exports
they are carrying. Many OF These
ships will have to abandon their old
trade routes, because Of tho embargo
and an effort to sell them or charter
them in return for foodstuffs is now
under consideration.
Most of the tonnage got from Japan
will be purchased, although. arrange
ments for chartering many Of the ia.
panaBe ships to the United States and
European allies is being considered.
1t is not known what type Of vessels
Japan will be able to spare nor what
vessels will be selected for Atlantic
service, but it Is understood the Jap.
anese government will assist in sur
vey to determine what ships are
available of the average commercial
steamer type. 1t Is not believed Japan
will willingly release many Of her
larger merchant vessels. ~