Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-10-17
SEIZURE OF DIPLOMATS
. LIQUOR CAUSES TROUBLE
State Department Issues Statement,
Asking for Policy Of Nom
a interference.
BAGGAGE HAS BEEN OPENED
Agents of Federal Government.
Acting Under Treasury Orders,
Transcend Privileges OF Foreign
Governments Representatives.
BAGGAGE HAS BEEN OPENED
lny AsgrcIated Pressl

10y h-S''1bt'i II'sFsD
WASHINGTON, Oct lG.-Ac,!On o,
Government agents in SELLING liquors
consigned 10 IN. diplomatic corps in
Washington has led 20 some compli-
| cations. 5; was learned today at the
State Department. While no formal
protests have been lodged with thu
government the situation has
reached the point where the depart
men; felt called upon today TO issue
public statement.
The hope is expressed in this state
ment that no agent Of the govcn-
| meni VIII interfere with the bagSag.
or other personal possessions of an:
| member OF the diplomatic corps al
Of his family.
Information has reached the Stat,
Department IL was said today. that
in some instances trunks and othc.
personal baggage OF the diplomats
have been entered by Federal agents
and liIuor removed. The property
thus seized was held for further
claim from the owner. but depart
ment officials said there were cases
where the liquor had disappeared be-
fore 1t could be called for.
Expected Freedom of Action.
Diplomats contend that it is u
recognized principle OF international
law that the personal baggage OF n
diplomat is free from inspection by
customs or other agents Of a friendly
nation. When the prohibition
amendment became effective they
generally expected that members oi
The diplomatic corps in Washington
would be permitted 10 obtain sup
plies OF beverages from their home
countries without interference by tn,
American Government.
Orders to customs officials &c
search the baggage of diplomats
We're issued recently by Asslstan:
Secretary of the Treasury Shouse
whose resignation was announced
yesterday. effective November ID
The order said: I'm order to prevent
the Importation OF Intoxicating
beverages in violation OF the Ma
ticnal Prohibition Act. as construed
by the AttorncyGeneral. 1t has be-
come necessary TO require the exami-
nation of all baggage and effects for
which free entry is granted pursuan;
to the provisions of Article 376. OF
VIC SbobOiiio VI
The article referred to governs
the privilege of free entry extended
TO the baggage and personal effects
or forign representatives accredited
to the American Government.
Reports Are Directed.
The decision also included these
instructions to the Collectors of Gus
toms:
You will hereafter make an i'm
mediate report to the Secretary OF
the Treasury Division Of Customs)
of all violations of the prohibition
law which come to your attention rs
the result of such examinations.
las this practice will be distinc,
departure from the custom that has
prevailed Of waving examination
when admitting effects to free entry
you should take immediate steps 20
impress upon your force tho neces-
sity for careful compliance with the
regulations as amended by this
decision"
Confidential instructions as to thu
methods TO be employed in searching
tho baggage of diplomats also were
sent to the customs force. but the
Treasury Department refused To
make these public"