New York, May 25.
Italy appeared to be a step nearer war today after the announcement that all trans-Atlantic shipping from Italian ports had been suspended until June 10 and that there would be no schedules issued for sailings either to the Near or Far East.
At the same time, the oficial gazette published a decree in which King Victor Emmanuel, Signor Benito Mussolini and the Council of Ministers officially approved the measure passed by the Senate recently provide ing means for civil mobilization, "The bill provides, in case of partial or general mobilization of all properly, that all persons of both sexes over the age of 14 participate in the defence of the country. Thus, they can be mobilized civilly and put under the discipline of the war office.
The Italian shipping office confirmed that all trans-Atlantic shipping from Italy was suspended until June 10 when both the liners Rex and Augustus are to sail for New York, No sailings for the Near and Far Kast have been placed on schedule, but the Italian airline said that its service was running normanly to kaypt and the next plane was expected to leave ior Cairo on Tuesday.
The British Prime Minister, Mr.
Winston Churchill, has exchanged messages with Premier Benito Mussolini in an attempt to clarify Italy's attitude toward entry into the European war, according to private advices received here last night—United Press,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.