Washington, Apr. 2. ERMANY and Italy have demanded prompt release of Axis ships seized by the United States Coast Guard and of the crews who were made prisoner.
The Treasury Department, meanwhile, disclosed that of the. 28 Italian ships seized, 25 had been damaged by sabotage and that one of the two German ships seized had been damaged, A high treasury official also revealed that the United States had placed 19 French merchantment, including the 83,423 ton Normandie, second largest liner in the World, "under: surveillance." Informed sources interpreted that action as a forerunner {o seizure. French vessels tied up in United States ports include eight in New York harbour, four at New Orleans, two at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; one at San Juan, P. R.; two at San Francisco and two at Los Angeles.
German and Italian demands for release of the. ships were understood to have been identical in wording and to have been based on the contention that there was no basis in international law for protective custody and that they knew of no United States law authorizing such action.
'Meanwhile, metal circles expressed Increasing belief that seizure was prelude to requisitioning of ships for Use In' the United States merchant marine.
There was every indication that the United States would ignore the protests and proceed with action against the crews.
Mr, Cordell Hull, the Secretary of State, said he had not studied the demands closely enough {0 determine whether the Slate Department would even reply. The demands would not published for the time being, Mr, Hull also said that Taly had not replied to a U.S. request to close the Ballan vice-consulates at Newark and Detroit and he declined to discuss the possibility of further action, Mi Hull said that sinking or burning of Axis ships in Latin "American ports since the United States took protective custody of the ships in US, ports. constituted confirmation of the 'US, position—United Press.
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