Washington, Dec. 17.
Traditional American freedom of the seas may be voluntarily forsaken lurider certain conditions during time of war, it was indicated here to-day.
Senator Gerald P. Nye of North Dakota, said to-day that he will introduce a bill prohibiting American merchant ships from fying the American flag when engaged in commerce with belligerent nations during war-time.
The purpose of the proposed act would be to prevent the United States from becoming involved in future wars through the protection jot, Americans engaged In neutral Senator Nye said he had strong support for the measure in some Administration circles and his announcement follows the recent dis closure of Mr. Cordell Hull, Secretary of State, that the State Department is studying possible changes in the United States policy of neutrality during future wars. [the proposed measure deftately {foreshadows revision or abandonment lof the American freedom of the seas policy, it was believed by political observers. It was pointed out that the United States entered the World War primarily to protect this policy.
{States entered the World War as pointed out that the, United pele marily to protect this policy.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.