The Washington times., 1921-02-09
MAY BARSH|PS
WITH LIQUOR
Attorney Generals Decision on
Booze in Transit Affects
Liners Landing Here.

Legal sharps at the Treasury
wrestled ith q new whiskey puzzle
today. Hn opinion by the Attorney
General holding that liquor ship
ments Yin transit" from one foreign
county to another cannot pass
through the United States, appar-
entity has set new restrictions upon
foreign ships touching ut American
ports with liquors.
MAY REsTRICT SHIPS.
The Attorney General WAS asked
for an opinion whether or not II 10
lawful under the Volstead act for
beverage liquors. originating In and
destined to foreign countries to touch
at or move through American ports.
HIS opinion given to the Secretary
OF the Treasury. went beyond the
scope of customs house regulation,
and in the view Of some officials has
laid down a new rule that the Vol
stead law prohibits whiskey cargoes
on foreign ships coming within the
three-miie limits on the American
coasts.
Fully dozen officials were in
doubt whether IL will be possible be-
cause OF international arrangements.
to draft new regulations that would
restrict foreign shipping in Amcri-
can ports. But the law, as outlined
by the Attorney General. was In
terpreted by the Attorney General
In this language:
'-The national prohibition act ap-
plies to ali the territory OF the
United States, that Is not otherwise
excepted from its operations, ard
extends to All waters within fhe ter
+ritorial limits. inciuding a. n3Arine
league from the shore. Within thOee
waters the manufacture. sale, trAbs-
portation, possession, etc, Is pro-
hibited. The act prohibits In transit
shipments of such liquors touching
at the ports Of, or moving through
the United States. though some orig
mate in and are destined to foreign
countries"
The main purpose Of customs Of
hcials was to stop the movement
through United States customs houses
of large quantities of whiskey and
wines. free Of duty. to foreign con-
signees, and regulations to conform
to the decision, are being drafted
But IL the opinion Of the Attorney
General is to be literally followed. II
Is possible that foreign vessels mere
ly touching at American ports for
coaling, may come within the dry
laws prohibitions, II whiskey or other
intoxicants are aboard. Plainly this
presented to officials a problem diff
ficult Of solution.
CAUSE FOR DOUBT.
That part OF the Attorney Generals
opinion which construed the Volstead
law to cover possession" by a car
rier of intoxicants within the Ameri-
can territorial limits. and rendering
such possession liable to the penalties
of the act. gave officials much cause
for doubt as the extent Of their pow
err to put into practice. any new rules
that might not run counter to ex'
listing shipping agreements with for
eign powers.
There will be no delay in issuing
new rules stopping Canadian ship
ments of whiskey through the United
States, consigned to foreign buyers
Before any attempt is made, however
tc tamper with international shipping
agreements, 1t is possible that further
consultation will be held between Of
ficials of the Treasury, supervising
customs, and prohibition matters
with officials of the state Department
and the Department of Justice.