Disposal of American War Vehicles.
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It has now been decided that the whole of the motor vehicles owned by the American armies in France will be turned over to the French Government to be disposed of by them. This material comprises a total of 100,000 vehicles, of which 65,000 are lorries and touring cars, and about 35,000 motorbicycles. Although the American army is not authorized to sell anything in France, it does not appear that the French authorities have come to any decision regarding the date when this material will be put on the market. The general impression is that the Frefich wish to dispose of their own material fimt before offering for sale any of the vehicles belonging to the Americans.
Although French material i,s beirig offered for sale in big quantities, there is still a great demand for all kinds of vebicles, and the Liquidation Board of the American 'FOTCCS has literally been besieged with applicants for American lorries and cars. One of the officers stated a few days ago that would-be buyers are dangling money in their faces in the hope of getting possession.
It does not yet appear to be known whether the French Government will buy American material outright or whether it will undertake to sell it for the American authorities. The Americans would naturally prefer the French to take over everything for a fixed sum, which is stated in some quarters to be 16 million pounds sterling. This eludes, of course, not only the vehicles, but all the stocks of spare parts and machinery, etc., amongst these stocks being 146,000 unused solid tyres.