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Show AMERICAN SHIPS OFFEOTICES Many Engaged in Coastwise! Trade Would Enter Government Gov-ernment Trans-Atlantic Lines. Big Ships May Be Brought ' auaitia vaiiai 1 ur Use During War. New York. Aug 4 Steamships flying fly-ing the American flag and engaged in the coastwise trade for the most part are to be offered to the government for trans-Atlantic service which has been demoralized by the war situation situa-tion In Europe. Offers of vessels have been sent to Commissioner of Navigation Chamberlain at Washington, Washing-ton, it. became known today, and will be communicated at once to Secretary Redfield of the department of com merce. The question of insurance, although the rates may be thought excessive, can be settled after the ships are found, it is said. The most suitable vessels for the trans-Atlantic trade are the Pacific liners now engaged in the trade with Asia. These might be brought through the Panama canal Southern Pacific Boats. Of vessels already in Atlantic wa ters. the best for a trans-oceanic service ser-vice would be twenty-three of the Southern Pacific line The VPaauk rt a . . . American nne fly our flag and can continue to cross the ocean In safety. In addition there are two Red Star steamships that are now of American registry the Finland and the Kroonland This . makes six ships of the International mercantile marine which are Immune There are besides available ships run oLd S lln6; the Ward lln. Clyde, Old Dominion and other lines in the coastwise trade. nr |