New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-07-25
British Inquiry
Into High Seas
Rum Fleet On
Will Seek Information Be-
fore Acting on Request
to Cooperate in Ending
Traffic, the L. 5. Is Tod
Drys Ask TO Board Ships
Agreement Making Linn il
Twelve Instead of Three
Miles Out l. Suggested

LONDON, July % (By The AssO-
eiated Press) The British govern
meut has advised the United States in
reply 20 a note from the Washington
government asking cooperation in the
suppression Of liquor running into the
United States through Bermuda and
the Bahamas, that IL is seeking infor-
nation upon which 10 base Us attitude
toward the traffic. Meanwhile the
British government Is alphabetically
nOn-committal.
In connection with the Washington
note the government Is communicating
with the authorities In Bermuda and
the Bahamas 20 ascertain the truth Of
allegations concerning false clearance
papers, etc. The question. IN is said,
Is complicated by the transfer Of the
registries Of ships.
From The TribmHc's WoshiHg'or bureau
WASHINGTON. July Although
the State Department declined 20 COM
mont to-day on the nature Of the pro
posal that has been made 20 the British
Foreign Office IL Is known that the
prohibition enforcement office Of the
Treasury Department has made n
strong showing 90 the department IN
favor Of some agreement with the
British government which will entitle
operatives on the navy "dry" fleet 20
board vessels under suspicion as rum
runners az points beyond the three
mile limit. II has been suggested that
the two governments agree 20 extend
the American territorial waters twelve
miles out 70 sea for the purpose Of
combating the rum ships.
That the matter Is considered one OF
sufficient moment 90 demand diplomatic
consideration was made plain to-day by
one Administration spokesman. He said
I that the subject has not been pursued
I far enough az this time % make any
announcement az 90 what course would
/ be agreed on. he declined 20 sommen'
on a report from London that the
/ British Foreign Office had received a
note from the United States on the
I subject.
Il was indicated in an official quarter
that any extension Of American terri
I torial waters may require new inter
national agreement which would give
other nations the right OF search and
seizure in their home waters twelve
! miles distant from shore. The three
mile limit was described as a well
established principle Of international
/ law" and any alteration Of IL, for the
purpose Of combating the liquor evil
or any other problem, IL was added
might require the consent Of all mari
time powers.
Information has come 10 the state
{ Department from prohibition officials
that a number Of British flag vessels
have been suspected Of doing a whole
sale whisky business with American
smugglors just outside the three-mil'
limit. Il has been suggested that the
State Department call upon the British
Admiralty 20 punish masters and Of
fcers Of vessels carrying liquors from
British possessions in the Atlantic q
American whisky runners of the New
Jersey and New York coasts.
Prohibition Commissioner Haynes il
understood 20 have taken the subject
up with Secretary Hughes and 20 have
made suggestions preventing run
running. Among other things he sug
gested tina. this government request
the British government 20 keep track
OF elearances and 20 deny clearance'
on technical grounds II vessels were
obviously carrying cargoes Of liquor
20 islands close 10 the American coast
such as the Bermudas or Bahamas.