The Alaska daily empire., 1921-11-16
The Bottle From Over the Border.
(Portland Oregonian.)

All's quiet along the Canadian border. Peact broods that imaginary line which separate TWO great and amable nations-three thousand mile Io1 mutual boundary. But quietude does not neces sarily denote inaction and, matter of fact, tn border these days is quite the busiest the cor tinent. Over it pours in silent tide a very proht able traffic in Canadian liquor exports, to the scan dal of both countries and the mockery of the eighteenth amendment Admittedly the rum runner $ las headline writers call them constitute the obstacle to the success of prohibition; admi tedly the importation Of Canadian liquor is dificul tide check with the thousands of roads that lead southward inviting dash in defiance of enforcement squads.
 It is not ours to censure the Dominion govern ment for negectng to altrustic attitude and by orbiddng the exportation of liquor to pre- hibtion United States aid in enforcing excellen flaw. We may, indeed like to believe that if th6 positions reversed-Canada arid and thirsty .and our land brimming with rye-we should with stern aacrity put down the traffic that would inevitably arise and lend out utmost to aid law enforcement in Canada. But this is hypothetical situation and we not put to the test. Possibly the profit o1 lliquor running would induce to wink most soberlS lat the breach of national ethics, as Canada winks One knows his weaknesses until they are upon him. As it is, we can but hope that there will arise in Canada public sentiment against the abuse la sentiment such the Toronto Globe pleads for when it asserts that:
 Canadian soil is dshonored and the good of Canada dragged in the dust by
 scoundrels who make fortunes through pro-
 vding neigbors to the south with the
 means of debauchery in defiance of the laws
 of tht United States. The action of the GUS
 toms department in clearing shipments of
 liquor for export from border points to the
 United States makes the government and the
 people of Canada partners in the illicit trade.
 What becomes of vessels laden with liquor
 after they leave Canadian ports is said be
 none of the business of the customs de-
 partment of Canada.
 Undoubtedly in strict accord with Canadian law ji is none of the business of their customs depart laent to interfere with exports that legal north Iot the line Undoubtedly the Canadian magistrate iWeo, few weeks ago. declared that liquor exports j0 the United States legal if cleared through q eQHadian customs house, is right in exact inter prefation of the statutes which govern him. Never haiess the traffic is undeniaby wrong and harmful friendly neighbor. repugnant to the best ctizenry t both countries, and matter of concern to the eefernments. It is difficult believe, here in the United States that the Globe suggests the oficia I&tHtde in Canada is really of sympathy for the fWhisf4s smuef,lers. Perhaps this statement is i'll lshosea. II is difficult to believe that the Dominion government iself is in sympathy, or is favorabl inclined toward the continuance of traffic that de Heats tbe purpose of the neighboring nation. I Prohibition national resolve lightly lunderiaken. It is entitled to the respectful leonsidefation from other governments that they Wouid expect to accord to progressive design 0i their expressed in national law If any at l tempt has been made by the United States secure the cooperation of Canada in preventing exports o liquor there is. at least public knowledge of it lone may he pardoned for assuming that the attempt b2s never been made. The obvious is often the neg lloctc3. Certainly it obvious that the United States Government should, in all poeness solicit Itne neighborly assistance of the Canadian Govern aent in our endeavor to prevent mockery the ti0nal law. The attitude of the Toronto Globe cannot he unique in Canada.