HIGH RATE OF SINKINGS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22253, 22 April 1942, Page 5

HIGH RATE OF SINKINGS

American Losses Cause Concern

Allied Discussions By Telegraph—press Association— Copyright (Rec. 10.62) WASHINGTON, April 20 Mr Harry Hopkins i Lease and Lend Administrator) told the press that plans for effecting a pobl of all ships was being Worked out. He asserted that hie London conference was pot related to the military aspects of the war but concerned combined British and American supply efforts as well aS Shipbuilding and the disposition of ■hipping. He said he discussed with London officials the whole question of British and American supply to other United Nations, also co-ordination of Brjtlsh and American production facilities, particularly those producing articles tor use to Australia, Russia, and dhirta. Mr Hopkins observed that the situation in Britain was how tighter and tougher than When he was there seven months ago, blit the morale of the people was excellent to spite of stringent food fatlbhlng. He addeq that the British were alert every minute to the threat of invasion. General George Marshall (U.S. Chief pf Staff) described his mission as very satisfactory, but 1 declined to say Whether a new plan of action would evolve from it. Allted Flans Discussed The Washington correspondent of the v N«W York Times" says British naval official® are discussing plans with tfie Washington authorities for the more effective combating of shipping losses on the eastern coast of the United States. Recerit United Nations' Shipping losses have exceeded the British American shipbuilding rate, and foe majority 6f the losses are occurring on the American Coast. There is a possibility that Britain, Which has large numbers of the smaller type of patrol ships, might divert some to duty to the western Atlantic. Meanwhile the united States is making every effort to ■tap up its own patrol boat production. The British officials taking part to the discussions arrived here with General Marthall and Mr Harry Hopkins from London, but lire Identified only as three naval officers and a high ranking civilian. Looses Since December The UH. Navy announced that sinkings of ships by submarines in the Atlantic since December total 141. This Includes 14 sunk last week, of which eight were American, three British, Norwegian and two unidentified. The tally is now 75 to Eastern united States waters. 24 in Canadian waters, 34 to Caribbean, ahd eight to South American waters. The Navy revealed in*t ebuntek-measures are Increasingly effective. President Roosevelt tp-day held a luncheon conference With General Marshall and Mr Hopkins, also Mr Cordell Hull (Secretary of State) who has returned ffom Florida after several weeks’ recuperation from illness.