Evening star., 1939-11-15
Ship Transfer
ToEuropean
Flags Hinted
Belgian Inquiry
Follows Ban on
Punumuniun Shift
BY JOHN c. HENRY.

by JoHN I. HENR1.
Transfer of American commercial
shipping to neutral European regis
tries became an immediate posi-
bility today as Count Robert van der
-Ponthoz. Belgian Ambassa-
dor to the United States, called at
the State Department to discuss the
matter
During a conference with Under
secretary of State Sumner Welles
in the absence of Secretary Hull the
Belgian Ambassador was referred to
the Maritime Commission for fur
ther information and guidance.
The Ambassador told newspaper
men at the State Department ne
was lnquiring whether expressed
administration objection to further
ship transfers to Latin American
reglstrleS would be applicable to
shifts to other foreign flags. He
pointed out that Belgium owns
comparatively little merchant tom
nage-about 00000 tons-and that
wartime eXigcncies have made
themselves felt on the nations COM
merce and its supply 11r1es:-------
He said, however, he was making
the initial inquiries without in
structions from his government.
Might Be Sold Outright.
In the light of the State Depart
ments action in referring the AM
bassador to the Maritime Commits
sion for further consultations. it
was believed in some quarters that
the department entertained no dis
approval of permitting ships to pass
to a European government THIS
Willingness is particularly likely 1t
was said, if the transfer should be
effected by outright sale rather than
through the device of American
operation through a dummy foreign
corporation.
1t was recalled that the commls
sion only yesterday gave its per
mission for the outright sale by the
Portland Trawling Co of five trawl-
erS to the Fr"nch Line.
Gil VI SlSiIIIitdIllt dISU NdS
President Roosevelt's laughing re-
mark at his press conference yes
terday that the Government might
be receptive to the idea of transfer
ring ships to the Irish flag-if we get
good offer.
That the administration definitely
Is opposed, at this time. to any
further transfers of shipping to
Latin American registries was clearly
indicated by Mr. Roosevelt yester-
day. At the same time, he indicated
with comparable clarity that there is
no intention to modify the combat
zone restrictions imposed through
the Neutrality Act
Swinging to the previously-e ex-
pressed viewpoint of Secretary
Hull that transfer Of American
ships to Panamanian registry would
be violation of the spirit of the
Neutrality Act, the President also
raised the point that by such action
we might be jeopardizing the neu-
trallty policy Of a sister American
republic, In effect, he indicated that
our good neighbor" and neutrality
policies should be closely integrated
Trawlcr Sale Approved.
Although Mr.. Roosevelt did say
that no final decision has been made
on the specific request of the United
States Lines to transfer eight of its
ships to Panamanian registry. he in
Gip0tnH thnu tl,o wind &c hlN,1-i,,,r'
in referring to the Maritime Com
missions rejection of a transfer pro-
posal from the Pacific Steamship Co
In bankruptcy. the company has
asked permission to shift four YES
sells to the Panama flag.
The question of possible modifi-
cation of the combat zone restric-
tions was raised originally Monday
by the Irish government in discus
sions with the State Department
Protesting that waters off the West
coast of Fire are no more danger
Gus than exempted areas in the
Mediterranean. Robert Brennan
Irish Minister. asked their exclu-
sion from the restricted area to per-
nit resumption of American ship
ping to Irish ports.
Others Express Regrets
Yesterday President Roosevelt dis
closed that unofficial expressions o1
regret at the American restrictions
also have been heard from Belgium
Holland, Denmark, Sweden and the
Baltic countries, all neutral nations
whose ports fall within the pre-
scribed danger zones. Despite his
sympathy with their protests, he
said. our principal concern is tc
keep shipping out of dangerous
waters
Meanwhile the Maritime Com
mission and w. P. A. announced
immediate relief programs for sea.
men beached by the curtailment O.
American shipping.
The seamen's relief proposal out
lined yesterday by the commission
would provide training for 1850 mer
within years time. While in this
emergency service. limited to three
month periods, the seamen will re-
ceive $36 monthly, plus food, cloth
ing, quarters. medical care and
transportation. Officers would re-
(see MARITIME, Page A-3D