South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-02-06

tons with the European neutrals
for tonnage 10 release American
vessels for transatlantic service.
The president was particularly in
terested IL the proposal 20 obtain
additional ships 10y reducing i'm
ports probably one-half.
A full realization of the extent 70
which Americas troop movement 10
France depends on tonnage has
come not only 10 this government
but 10 the allies as well and il was
indicated today that one OF the chief
topics at the recent session of the
supreme war council at Versailles
was that of finding ships for that
purpose. A big American army is
substantially ready TO go, but be-
fore it is sent the war department
wants TO be assured il can be sup
Piled. Ships are available 10 trans
port the men; the problem is keep
ing them furnished with materials
with which 10 fight.
Need 4 to : Million Tons.
A million men on the lighting
front will require, according to the
best estimates available. from four
10 seven million tons of shipping IN
continuous service across the 5000
miles OF water between America and
Europe The United States can lay
its hands on about four million tons
now and expects to build during
the year anywhere from three 10
six million tons more.
VTI,;lu LIrr1av~ MOS ,,ra
pairing for the president Tuesday a
complete report on the shipping sit
ration Civil Engineer Frederick +.
Harris of the naval bureau of yards
and docks, who for three weeks
was general manager Of the emer-
gency fleet corporation, was giving
senate investigating committee an
optimistic view Of ship building
progress. II is possible, Mr. Harris
said, for the government to COM
Dlete this year its original program
of 100000 tons of construction.
The president was told by Mr.. Hur-
ley that bad weather in January cut
construction of commandeered
ships fully 60 per cent. The ship
ping boards plans for building up a
great ship yard workers reserve
and for obtaining more work out OF
ship yard labor at present engaged
were outlined. Recruiting for the
reserve is progressing we'll and
speakers are starting out TO visit
the yards to appeal 10 the men to
do their best as a patriotic duty.
The plan to cut imports from
South America and the orient TO re-
lease ships for transporting troops
and supplies has been worked out at
| the shipping board. The class Of
imports to be reduced will be left
largely to the war trade board.
which is in control of both imports
and exports. The shipping board
will advise the trade board as 20
the number of neutral vessels and
American and French sailing ships
possible to put in the trades AMI
the trade board will determine what
| they shall carry.
British Turn Over Some Ships.
There has been no announcement
as TO the amount of tonnage the al
lies are ready TO spare for moving
| the American forces and their sup
J plies. Already the British have
turned over some ships for the pur-
pose and are preparing to release
others.
The Versailles war council took
VI the subject of what shall be
| the balance maintained as between
| the shipment Of troops and their
supplies and the transportation Of
| foods needed by the allied armies
| and the European civilian popula-
| tions. Reports to Washington indi-
! cate that the policy will be 20 en-
| ploy as much tonnage in the move
ment of the American forces and
| materials for their use as can be
spared from its previous runs with
! out endangering the allied food sup
! plies. The allies are drawing less
| and less on America for munitions
! as every month they are increasing
| the volume of their own manufac-
| ture. This releases tonnage both
! for the movement of foodstuffs and
| for use by the American forces.