BUILDING NEW SHIPS

Thames Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 18357, 2 June 1917, Page 6

BUILDING NEW SHIPS

VANCOUVER.

Lord Eustace Percy, a member of the

British Commission, told the Associated Press that the present rate of British construction of ships, and the present estimated American rate, might possibly not keep pace with the present rate of destruction by submarines. He added that the balancing 1 figure in the world struggle might be the extra tonnage the United States could arrange' to supply.

"The shipping issue dominates everything else, and is very grave indeed," Lord Percy added. "Both British and American construction must be speeded up considerably if the seas are to be kept open. The war has resolved itself into a race between the efficiency of the British and American shipyards, and the German submarines. With the aid of £ho United Staites shipping the present mili tary service and food supply could be continued. This is a, most vitally serious problem, which cannot be exaggerated. America is one of the few countries absolutely self-sufficient. The shipbuilding problem is not only a matter of tonnage, but equally a matter of how fast that tonnage can be used. Every method possible is being used to save shipping for vital purposes and keep away from non-essen-tials. Over all the Entente transports is a general shipping board sitting in ~ondon to harmonise the demands on shipbuilding and direct it to' the most eilti-

cient use."

Telegrams from Washington report that Mr Lansing, Secretary of State, has announced that the Government Mas hanßeH to the Entente the Hamburg-Am&.. rican liners Pisa, 4967 tons, a,nd Clara Mennig, 1685 tons, at New York. THre'lfe of the seized German merchantmen will ba ready for service within a week, in-.! Shipping Board reports that seven are in New Pork Harbour and the rest in Pacific Dorts.