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Show 8. S. STOPS SALE CF SHIPS WASHINGTON, Nov. 30. Tho United States government has refused refus-ed to approvo tho proposed transfer to n British syndicato of the vessels now under British registry owned by the International Mercantile Marino Mar-ino corporation.. . Balnbrldge Colby of the shipping board In makng this announcement , said the government had offered .to take over the ownership of these, vessels upon the terms ot the British Brit-ish offer." j The'veesels concerned in the British Brit-ish syndicate's offer number approximately appro-ximately eighty-five, of an aggregate tonnage of 730,000 gross tons. They include some of the most important now engaged in the trans-Atlantic service such as the Olympic and many others of familiar name. SHIPPING BOARD'S STATEMENT i ' This formal statement was Issued at the office of the shipping board: "Announcement was made at the shipping board that the International Internation-al Mercantile Marine corporation had been advised of the government's disinclination "to give, its approval to the proposed transfer to a British syndicate of the American ownership which has for years been vested in the International Mercantile Marine corporation of the letter's vessels' now under British registry." Balnbridge Colby of the shipping board stated that an offer by a British Brit-ish syndicate to acquire from the International Mercantile Marino cor-porntfon cor-porntfon the tonnago in question had been under consideration for some time. The offer was expressly conditioned con-ditioned upon its approval by both tho United States and British governments. gov-ernments. I.O.VQ HELD IN THIS COUNTRY Negotiations, he further stated, had been carried on by tho International Interna-tional corporation with entire frankness frank-ness so far as tho government is concerned, con-cerned, nnd tho decision now reach-oil reach-oil Is duo to tho roluctance 'felt that an ownership which has so long been held In this country, covering so Important Im-portant a tonnage, should nt this time, and under the conditions now prevailing In shipping throughout tho world, bo suffered to pass out of American hands. Toh government has announced its willingness to tnke over the ownership ow-nership of these vessels upon tho terms of tho British offer, which Is considered a fair price for tonqaga of thlB exceptional character. Negotiations for tho salo ot tho ships have been under way for soma |