The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-05-09

conveys.
 These developments were accom- panied by bitter dispute regarding the extent of British shipping losses. Congressional isolationiSts are sug- gesting that Great Britain or some one is withholding the facts from the people of the United States while asking. simultaneously for more and more assistance.
 American ships flying the Ameri- can flag and manned by American crews are expected to begin carry ing war materials into the Red Sea for British use within the next few weeks. The United Press was in- formed that seven vessels have been tentatively assigned to that service and that 20 more are being as- sembled for similar duty under the lend-lease program.
 Protect Ships, Crews
 Protection of the ships and their American crews was reported under consideration by the State and Navy departments. Organization of the munitions service to the Red Sea is by the Maritime Commission.
 President Roosevelt last month revoked the proclamation which had closed the Red Sea to American shipping as a war zone. But from Italy immediately came therats to sink vessels attempting to carry munitions to the British by that route.
 Meanwhile, the maritime commits sion has made 25 additional vessels available to the British in accord- ance with MT. Roosevelts request for the assembly of @ 100000 ton shipping pool to help move supplies to the British. The commission ap- proved the charter of 25 ships by the Alec Steamship Company, 70 Canadian interests under an agree ment that the cost of their opera ton shall be borne by Canadian funds and not by the Lend-Lease appropriation. The vessels, perhaps aggregating 100000 tons, will be used principally for hauling Baux- ite, sugar and oil well equipment between South American ports and Canada.
 New German Protest
 The new German protest was al. rected against pending legislation to authorize MT. Roosevelt to seize idle foreign ships in American ports for such use as he may deem necessary. Two German vessels are among the lot of 83 foreign craft which could be requisitioned under the legisla- ton which passed the house this week and now is before the senate commerce committee. It is expected to reach the senate floor next week and to become the center of a full dress debate on convoy and patrol policies.
 The state department said 1t had no knowledge of the German pro- test. But usually reliable sources said the German embassy had filed the note with the department and 1t is expected to turn Up today or tomorrow. It objected to the "au- thorization of United States seizure" of the ships and said Germany re- served all of It's rights In connec- ton with the vessels.
 Secretary of Agriculture Claude A. Wickard last nigh tcontinued the series of cabinet addresses which variously have demanded for all-out aid to Great Britain or conveys. Wickard did not use the word "con- voy' but said he had no course for us which "gives any real promise of keeping us from becoming deeply involved in this world conflict"
 Let's do whatever is necessary he said in an address delivcrd at Charlotte, N. C., Ito see that our food and munitions actually get to England-and let's do 1t right away. The situation is urgent, terribly ur- gent. Our food and our munitions must not only be produced, they must be delivered, and delivered in time."
 Ship Seizure Bill
 The ship seizure bill was having smooth sailing until teh dispute of the actual amount of British losses rose around 1t. but there is no indi- cation that ultimate passage of the bill is jeopardized. Senate isolation ists grabbed immediately at statis- tics revealed by Chairman Emory s. Land of the Maritime Commission in Aa letter to Senator Arthur H. Vandenburg, R., Mich.
 Land informed the senator that from January to Ap"il 30 sink ings throughout the world were re- ported at 158 vessels of 781 ,0l4 gross tons and that only 12 of these had cleared from United States ports. The l2 were among 205 which cleared from United States ports for British ports during January, February and March.
 Senate isolationists cited those figurse immediately as indicating that the sinking of American made munitions en route to Great Britain was on @ far smaller scale than had been indicated by statements of British and United States officials in urging speedy action to insure our goods getting there" Land stood by his figures but in a press