IDLE SHIPS OF U.S.A.

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20129, 26 December 1939, Page 3

IDLE SHIPS OF U.S.A.

PLAN TO EXTEND TRADE SERVICE TO AUSTRALIA WASHINGTON, Dec. 10. All of the United States ships previously engaged in the North Atlantic trade have been rendered idle by the neutrality law, and plans to use some of these ships in an attempt tc expand trade with Australia were announced by President Roosevelt after a conference with Mr. Joseph P. Kennedy United States Ambassador lo Britain.

Before returning to the United States Mr. Kennedy worked out plans with London authorities to replace certain British steamship services to Australia with American ships. President Roosevelt said, after a long talk with Mr. Kennedy, that he was much impressed by the increased trade possibilities with Australia, and also with other Empire units which could be reached by American ships without entering the war zones. Australia was the only country directly mentioned by either President Roosevelt or Mr. Kennedy. President Roosevelt has already ordered that no more American ships should be transferred to the Panama flag for the purpose of allowing them to re-engage in the European trade.