As for the Italian ships, unsuccessful negotiations have been under w: for a month or two for American purchase of these ships. but naturally they were blocked by the home country. It remains therefore to be seen how, having put guards aboard these ships, the Government will find a legal path to turning them over to the Maritime Commission. The Italian Government will of course oppose this. Payment could be made. presumably, only into frozen credits in this country.
Meantime. however. the speeded up U-boat and bomber campaign of the Germans against British shipping has built a fire under the Washington authorities. and early transfers of more
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.