New-York tribune., 1918-02-05
Radical Reduction Suggest
ed to Expedite Move
ment of Troops
Neutral Tonnage
For Peace Voyages
Sailing Vessels Also To Be
Utilized for Non-Haz-
ardous Trade

WASHINGTON, Feb. A so per
cen. reduction in the volume of i'm
ports is ono of the measures under
consideration by tho Administration to
make available ships for transporting
troops 10 France.
Overseas sportation is recognized
rs the real problem facing the govern
ment in its effort 10 put on the firing
line big fighting force and keep 1T
in supplies. Estimates of the amount
Of tonnage necessary to keep an army
supplied vary all the way from four to
seven tons in continuous service for
each man engaged. The United States
now has in all services about four
million tons of shipping, of which
probably one-fourth is engaged in
bringing material heretofore regarded
as essential to the national industrial
life.
TO Utilize Neutral Ships
II negotiations now under way with
neutral countries are concluded sue
cessfuly a large amount of neutral ton
mage will be used to supplant American
ships engaged in the non-hazardous
trades, that is, trade with Central and
South America and other parts OF the
world not affected by the war. 1t is
regarded as entirely likely that the en-
tire one million tons of American ships
engaged will be put into the transat-
lantic service. leaving the neutral ships
to supply in so far as possible the gap
made. The general opinion is that
about SO per cent of the shortage will
not be supplied
In addition to its efforts to obtain
neutral tonnage the government eX-
pects soon to take over all american
sailing ships and large number Of
French sailing ships, all of which vii
be put in the non-hazardous class. This
move will add some tonnage to that
available for bringing in imports.
If a cut in imports is made the gov
ernment will select for elimination a
list of articles which it regards as not
essential in the prosecution of the war
Imports of certain materials, including
nitrates and manganese, must be kept
up to the maximum. The country will
need this year about 100000 tons of
ntrates from Chile and fully 100000
tons of manganese from Brazil.
Allies to Cooperate
Officials who arc working out details
of the transportation of troops have
not disclosed to what extent the Allies
are ready to assist with loan Of tom
mage, but many American soldiers will
60 abroad in Allied vessels. This was
arranged for in the inter-Allied con-
ference at Paris and was announced on
the return to the United States Of Colo
mel Edward NJ. House.
Shipping Board officials estimate
Americas shipping output during 1918
at from 100000 to 100000 tons.
much of which they expect to become
available in the summer. Production
in the latter half Of the year is eX-
rccted to more than double that during
the first half, and officials say the ship
ring situation will grow steadily more
favorable as the year advances.
Supplies Are Piling Up
Supplies for the Allies and for the
American army abroad still arc piling
up faster than they can be transported,
and it is estimated that more than
100000 tons of cargo arc awaiting
shipment along the Atlantic seaboard.
Even had the country's production of
materials come up to expectations and
had the railroads been able to trans
port it, no moro goods, officials say,
could have been transported across the
seas.
The Shipping Board, realizing the
situation, is redoublng its efforts to
speed up the building of ships. With
the assistance of the Labor Department
they are creating reserve of shipyard
labor, which they expect to place in the
yards as fast as it can be absorbed.