Million Ton Bundle

British losses on the seas doubled in weekly average by jumping to 148,000 tons per week, according to figures recently released. And Nazi claims put the toll for two days at 224,000 tons. These depredations on British commerce mean that our costly lend-lease supplies are going to the bottom of the Atlantic.

The first question for Washington is whether American ship-building yards and other available shipping resources can fill the void caused by Nazi attacks and still stay short of convoys, short of men.

The United States Maritime Commission has sold the British the last remnants of its laid-up fleet. This sale included roughly 100,000 tons--enough to replace one week's losses at the present rate. We must do more.

We can lease-lend the British our remaining 45 over-aged destroyers. Their transfer would not change the contemplated ship-ratios in our fleet, now or in the future, for they are not counted in the 159 we now have, or the 219 we expect to have by the end of 1942. It is also possible that some American ships engaged in coastwise trade can be afforded for Britain, in spite of our own serious need for this shipping.

Beyond this there are in American harbors about a hundred ships belonging to Italy and Germany and to powers now under the control of these states, an aggregate of nearly 600,000 tons. Congress moved yesterday to seize these; their transfer to the British will help considerably.

America could best relieve the ship shortage by taking over British trade routes outside the war area, thus freeing the British ships for more pressing service. John Bull, however, as anxious not to lose his trade to America as he is not to lose his land to Hitler, has been singularly obstinate in retaining these routes. All the blame for poor organization of lend-lease aid does not lie on this side of the ocean.

Estimates are difficult, but all in all, this country with cooperation abroad might be able to contribute two million tons to the British during the coming year. Washington need not wait for Gallup to O.K, any convoy system before making this aid effective. Not an American citizen is asked to serve abroad for Britain. All that is necessary is that we serve the interests of United States' defense more thoroughly, and within the limits of the Lend-Lease Bill.