Course of Freighter With 19
Planes Diverted.
Washington, Aug. 28.
The Maritime " Commission has ordered the freighter Wichita to avoid the China war zone and proceed to Manila, instead of Shanghai, a Mr, Ralph Emerson, spokesman for the National Maritime Union, told the United Press to-day.
Mr. Emerson said the Wichita had cleared Baltimore on Friday, carrying 19 aeroplanes and 500 tons of barbed wire consigned for Shanghai He added that the Maritime Union had interested itself in the case for the purpose of protecting seamen who had demanded a bonus, should they be ordered to proceed to Shanghai.
The Commission and the true owners of the vessel have ordered the operating company, the American Pioneer line, to avoid the war zone, recording to, Mr. Emerson. The vessel requires 21 days to reach San Pedro, where it will refuel. It will then proceed to the Far East, by way of Honolulu. Should the Neutrality Act be invoked prior to the ship's arrival in Manila, its cargo may possibly never reach China.—United Fros
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.