South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-10-18
lONSISTENT RRLT4LN

That Great Britain wouId refuse amicaby and
pra-eaby. 10 consent 10 a se1rch OF her SHIPS for
alot booze was 90 be expected The empire but
follows its ceHtury-old boast shat she rules the
waves
That Secretary Hughes should be suueiess enough
% presume that this nation. which owes this coun-
try many billions OF dollars. would rehnqush any
suFgestion Of right TO bring to America anything
she pleases IS the amusing feature
you may recall that British domination OF China
forced upon that country an opium habit which
wrecked lts people and against which it has fought
en- vain for years she insisted the right to de-
bauch tho Chinese for money through a habit and
drug forbidden to her own people.
7. remains TO be seen whether the majesty
on American law Is greater than the bluff Of
Britain.
There IS no question Of the right Of this country
20 forbid importations Of any kind whatsoever
Britain contends that the sealing Of liquor supplies
ships IS a sufficient guarantee against illegal
smuggling or booze although it is a well known
fact that foreign ships have deIuged the Atlantic
ports with liquor and that prices in those cities are
far below what contraband sells FOR in Chcago and
other inland cities.
There is no question OF the right OF Britain to
permit the sale Of any sort drugs or poison she
pleases aboard her boats.
But there is no question either. Of the right Of
this country forbid any ship bringing ana carry
ing menace 20 American law morals and health
Of this country's judgment to what constitutes
menace
There would be question the right of
country exclude a ship manned by epers or
with smallpox other infectious disease
The Eighteenth amendment rejecting the judg-
ment OF America. has said that any liquor within
its borders IS menace it's peace and its safety
Nations which insist on a different view cannot
COMPLAIN, either in law or in equity against the
right OF this nation determine conditions Of it's
own safety. 1T happens 60 consider whisky dan
gerous.
There IS real parallel between the right
asserted 10y America and the right Of search asserted
10y Britain in 1914 when took a second war to
disabuse her mind.
In that instance Britain insisted on the right to
stop ships upon the high seas to search them for
sailors who had from the tyrannes of autocracy
and 20 take them back to some sort of Involuntary
servitudo.
That was an entirely different matter and
which challenged the boast OF America that it was
the haven of the oppressed and that men have
ysht TO choose their own nations and give their
loyalty to such flags as they desire.
What America says to the world is what business
say to individuals. If they wish to do business
there they come sober and they must not carry
dangerous articles upon their persons.
Htue backbone the part of the administra-
ton VIII uphold this right ANY sign of weakening
can be interpreted only making this decision for
the purpose Of crowdins down the threats of the
public the ship subsidy bin, which viii take many
millions from American citizens
Britain always consistent. may protest but she
needs our dollars and viii always come for them.