NEED OF SHIPS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 January 1941, Page 9

NEED OF SHIPS

PROPOSED AMERICAN AID TO BRITAIN LENDING OR LEASING CONSIDERED. POSSIBLE ACQUISITION OF GERMAN VESSELS. i Bx Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright! WASHINGTON. January 2. Ofhcials stated that the Government is considering lending or leasing merchant ships to Britain and also possibly taking over British trade routes in the Pacific for the duration of the war. The indications are that there is iqclinntion to make a deal if Britain guarantees that the United States can return to the North Atlantic trade routes-at present "blacked out" by the neutrality law—after tile war on the pre-war basis. It is disclosed that .'oastguard officials have obtained complete information regarding >33 freighters owned by German companies new tied up in American ports. The .Administration is studying the legal aspects involved in possible acquisition of the ships. President Roosexelt held a conference with the Secretary of War. Mr Stimson, when it is believed they discussed the proposal for the leasing of merchant ships and also the speeding up of the dispatch of planes io Britain. It is reported from Chicago that Mr W. A. White, chairman of the Committee to Defend America By Aiding the Allies, which has had a big effecx on public opinion, has resigned on the ground that the job is too big for him.