The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-04-04
Formerly Used Transporting
American Supplies to Russia.
L. 5. Ready To Lock Her Har-
bors Against Luxury Trade.
THUS ADD s MILLION TONNAGE
War Trade Board viii Extend
Ban on NOn-EssentialS.
Uncle Sam Combing World
Ports for More Ships.

New York, April 4.-The United
States has requisitioned for use in
entente service a number of Russian
steamships formerly engaged in trans
porting supplies between America and
Russia. according to authoritative IN
formation received in shipping circles
here today.
Following the lead of England. the
United States is prepared to lock her
harbors against trade which serves no
war purpose.
Combing the worlds ports Tor added
shipping and putting her last slneW
into shipbIilding. this country IS
mapping hitherto undreamed of re-
strfctions against non-essentia1 COM
merce. both import and export.
In the work, the British govern
ment, which already has cut England
to the bone on non-war trade, is lend
ing valuable aid, it became known to-
day.
Goods Imported and Again Exported.
Early measures may be expected,
releasing for troop transport end sup
ply service more than five million an
nual tons of shipping now engaged in
importation of articles never con-
sumed in this country, but held here
only to be re-exported. Such juggling
with the tonnage. which now means
everything to the allies. can no longer
be tolerated. government officials mere
feel
Universal stoppage of luxury
shipments also will come in the very
neal future. it is indicated. The war
trad board following its recent re-
strictions on eighty-two non essential
articles. is known to be preparing fur
the lists.
With the west front struggle swing
ing in the balance and man-power
likely to tur-. the ultimate balance,
President Wilson and his advisers
have reached this viewpoint, long
since forced on the other allies.
Success of the allied cause now de-
pends on the shipping it can put and
keep on the see lanes leading to the
battle lines
Time for Luxuries Is Past
The American people shall be we'll
fed, well clothed and we'll cared for
in all essential requirements, but the
time for enjoyment of luXuries or
peace time comforts from abroad is
pf sS-ng-
Still further tonnage is expected to
be acquired shortly from neutral and
passively- belliserent nations. British
representatives here are urging the
government to give greater attention
to South American and far eastern
trade.
Negotiations are already in prog
ress with Brazil and Uruguay for
utlIlzation of a number of German
vessels fnterned in their ports
The China trade is counted on for
n considerable addition when $50 small
motor driven ships. soon to be launch
ed from American Pacific ports take
over part of that commerce
Meanwhile the last sinew is being
put to ship construction in this coun-
try.
No further ships will be built of less
than 5000 tons carrying capacity
Ruild More Concrete Ships
Concrete construction has now viz
tually been decided on on a large scale.
following successful tests on the 5000
ton ship Faith, recently launched at
San Francisco.
Great Lakes shipyards. hitherto un-
used for ocean tonnage owing to what
was thought to he insufficient depth
of the Welland canal to convey them
to the seaboard, will now be worked
full blast. Engineers have reported to
Chairman Hurley of the shipping
board that ships may be sent thru the
canal if turned their sides. The
canal. they point cut. is forty feet wide
and the vessels will not measure more
than thirty-six feet in depth.