Show ALARM FELT OVER I II I SHORTAGE OF TROOP SHIPS I Steps Taken to Limit Imports Imports Imports Im Im- Im- Im ports So Neutrals als Can Carry Soldiers By Robert J. J Bender I United Press Staff Correspondent I W WASHINGTON Feb 9 The The government government government gov gov- I IW tonight made the first outward outward out out- ward move In Its Us program to cut imports im im- imports ports and save tonnage for strictly war purposes The shipping board announced the formation of a statistical division under E. E F. F Gay of Harvard to lo del de de- l I termine lermine what ships may be withdrawn I I from the import trade In order to increase in increase increase in- in crease tonnage for army service The g government government will keep a daily record of ship movements movements under under way or get contemplated get figures on import import im im- port commodities their essential uses substitutes possible sources of supply and their relation to the prosperity of other nations na It has been definitely determined that England and America must combine com coin comI I I tine bine their power over the tIle worlds world's I II I shipping chipping to dominate the tonnage of oC I neutrals and offset the in al allied allied al- al lied bottoms which seriously menaces I ai-I the allied cause America b by dictating terms under which foodstuffs will be he allowed to I clear for neutral countries and England Eng Eng- land by bv control of bunker coal inmany in inmany I man many ports are in a position to bring strong pressure upon schedules of vest vessels ves ves- t I sels sets of the neutrals the South American Ameri Ameri- American ves-I ves can neutrals and ind Spain Spain however Is more Independent I I of America and England than the other other oth oth- oth-I oth er neutrals The shipping shipping- directors of the allies plan to dictate the cargoes as well as I the routes which neutral ships will willi I I sail all by Experts are at work worl in Washington Washington Wash Wash- I ington over trade lists and water routes I II now maintained b by neutral vessels Trade between North and South AmerIca America America Amer Amer- I ica will be cut necessities and all nonessentials nonessentials nonessentials non- non essentials will find it hard to work into I II I the cargo of ot overseas freight I In Washington the war trade board I I the shipping board and the department I lof of commerce are working out plan plans for forI effecting the use of neutral ships wIth I the least possible friction I Officials are alarmed at the shortage In allied craft available to carry troops I II I and supplies which must be taken talen to toI and France France to maintain the i western western front When they became I I convinced that ships could coul not be be built fast enough to meet the demand it itI I was decided to exert pressure so that the neutrals would find the trade dictates dictates dictates dic dic- I tates of the allies the allies the only profitable ones to follow The plan of the shipping directors I includes curtailing the imports from I South America especially Argentina and Brazil Hides chemicals for foi tanning tan- tan I ping ning leather wool and meat are the I principal imports from Argentina while coffee corree and India rubber form the I main import trade from Brazil While I I. I j these articles appear necessary a real eat many necessary articles v will willi ill illI I i I likely fall under the sway of the tonnage tonnage ton ton- ton ton-I nage experts' experts axes for the only thing which is really necessary is keeping k a steady stream of or supplies going to Europe The experts have already alread remarked that hides and tanning chemicals are shipped to this country where the hides are tanned and after being made madeI into shoes call for more tonnage to be I carried back to South America Carrying Carrying Carrying Car Car- materials to America only to carry them back again does not appeal appeal appeal ap ap- ap- ap I peal to the experts as the proper use of ship space under present urgent conditions I |