The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-27

The offer was made in a per-
sonal message from the Presi-
dent. Furthermore, 1t still stands
If the Nazt high command A.
nally decides to hurl its armies
through the low countries.
Intelligence reports are to the
effect that the Germans were all
set to strike between November
IL and IS, but that serious diff
ferences within the General Staff
postponed the plan. Whether It
has been permanently abandoned
Is not known, but most military
authorities here doubt 1t. They
still expect the Germans to at
tack, and through Belgium and
Holland.
If the two little Belgian prins
cesses and their young brother,
the heir 10 the throne, do come
to this country, they will be
brought over secretly In a speci-
ally conveyed ship.
NEW SHIP PLAN ....
It's a. closely guarded secret,
but the United States Lines has a
new plan to keep 1t in the trans
atlantic shipping business, despite
the Neutrality Act.
The company has informally"
sounded out the Maritime Com
mission on a proposition to charter
Norwegian ships for the routes
over which 1t previously operated
the nine freighters for which
permission to transfer to the Pan
amanian flag was refused.
There Is nothing In the law
barring such q deal; and one
line, American Diamond, al
ready has leased to q Nor
wegian company eight ships for
routes not affected by the Neu-
trality Act. Then Diamond, in
turn, took over Norwegian YES
sells for use on transatlantic
routes. American Diamond did
not have to obtain Commission
approval for this because Il re-
ceives no government subsidies.
United States Lines, however, Is
under subsidy and has to get an
ofilcial okay. Fate Of Its new plan.
like the Panamanian transfer, de-
ponds on major U. s. policy. And
this will be decided by the Presi-
dent himself.
DESPERATE EFFORTS
Desperate behind-the-s eff
forts are being made by the Mari
time Commission and by shipping
companies to find means OF put
ting the laid-up 8 vessels back
into operation.
Lykes Brothers of New Orleans,
with "a ships, are opening a new
route through the Canal to the
west coast Of South America. The
South Atlantic Steamship Co., Of
Savannah, Ca, with six ships Is
also looking over the Latin Amer
lean field.
Privately, both the Govern
ment and the companies are
counting strongly on the mount
Ing shipping losses of the Allies
and European neutrals to solve
the problem. II the Europeans
continue to lose ships they will
have to abandon various trade
routes, particularly in the West
ern Hemisphere. This will be
the chance for American lines TO
step In and take over with their
neutrality docked vessels.
This process already Is under
way. The British Furness line
Withdrew its two ships from the
Bermuda service and United
States Lines promptly stepped in
with its, President Roosevelt. To
aid this activity, the Maritime
Commission Is conducting q
worldwide survey of all ship
routes.
INDIAN WARRIORS
If the United States should get
involved in war, 1t can count on
the Indians.
Visiting Pueblo village in Col
orado recently, Indian Commas
sioner John Collier noticed that
the tribal chieftains seemed to
have something on their minds.
After a long huddle, one of them
stepped forward and said: "Our
people want 10 know II country
get into war;"
II hope not" replied COL
lier. "The President and the
people are against war and we
are adherlng to . strict neutral
lily policy"
But" persisted the spokcs-
man, ~ war come win Indians
be drafted?"