The New York herald., 1922-10-07
Vessels of Other Nation
alities Must Be Dry
i'm Port or Inside
3 Mile Limit.
UPHELD BY HARDING
Serious Effect on Shipping
i'm American Ports Seen
in Order.
TRADE LOSS is FEARED
Believed Evasions Will Be
Made or Law Changed to
Help Ocean Travel.
TRADE LOSS is FEARED
Special Dispatch to THE NEW YonK HEKALs.
New York Herald Bureau.

New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. C., Oct. g.
Attorney General Daugherty gave 10
President Harding to-day an off1cia
opinion which bars all Intoxicating
liquors from American ships, wher
ever they may be, and prohibits for
eign ships from touching American
ports or territorial waters with liquors
aboard, whether bonded, sealed or i.
otherwise kept from use or distribu-
ton.
The decision is the most far reach
ing yet made under the Eighteenth
Amendment. 1t operates to-
I. Prevent Shipping BoaI yesseir
from selling or transporting
liquor even between foreien ports
2. Prevent privately -wncd Arfer-
lean ships from selling or
transporting liquor, no matter wnrre
they may be.
Z. Prevent foreign 0lre tr
selling or transr s lC Cor
in American territorial
q. Prevent any forei h'p 's
ing liquor even a ~
from touching al any QI
for any purpose.
The last inhibition ais r1fsE
possible for foreign ts2ci
liquors to put into Hawaii, Por,o iaco.
the Virgin Islands, Guam or the
Philippines. The Panama Canal is ex-
empted by the volstead act
Orders Issued mt Once.
President Harding issued immediate
instructions TO Chairman Lasker OF the
Shipping Board TO stop the sale and
transportation OF liquor on Shipping
Board vessels and TO Secretary Mellon
20 notify all private owners of American
ships and 10 promulgate the necessary
notice and regulations for foreign shipe
Attorney-General Daugherty presented
his opinion during the Cabinet session
Secretary Of state Hughes and Secretary
OF the Treasury Mellon remained after
the meeting 10 discuss the opinion and
measures for enforcement OF the law as
interpreted.
Chairman Laslxer OF the Shipping
Board hurried TO the White House when
he received word OF the opinion. He
was told the Volstead act and Supreme
Court decisions. particularly the Holmes
decision Of last May, we're conclusive
and there was no loophole or possibility
of contrsvention. After the conference
Chairman Lasker said
This is severe blow to the American
merchant marine. American ships are
put at a tremendous disadvantage.
Secretary Hughes discussed with the
President the effect Of the decision upon
foreign relations. II was considered tn
create q rather delicate situation. but
one which cannot be eGcaped
SO Tar as American shipping is con
cerned the decision viii be made rnme-
diately effective All Shipping Board
vessels will turn in their stocks 10 pro-
hibition officers upon arrival at home
ports The stocks will be disposed OF in
accordance with law. This means thai
they can go only to hospitals or whole
sale druggists.
Time for Foreigners.
Foreign ships will be given due MOTTO.
and the customs division OF the Treasury
will issue regulations for their guidance
This will take time. Contest of the right
OF this Government TO stop foreign ships
from transporting intoxcants in Amer.
can waters IL expected from all the big
foreign shipping companies and applice
tion OF the decision TO foreign ships
probably will be contested through in
Junction proceedings and appeals from
penalties whenever they are levied.
Nearly all foreign ships carry liouof
as sea stores. o sufficient quantity for
consumption by officers and crews,
This applies even 10 freighters.
Foreign passenger liners can cvads
the law by carrying a supply to the
three mile limit and then dsposinE O.
It by dropping any surplvs overboard
or BY putting II off on lfr rl.
outside territorial water and
picking II up again on III w4f cut
While White House and Cf uet c
Gals declined to make an, 7iflclai
nient on the practicabilitt unf0
ment against foreign shi'
a distinct impression the .le
preme Court upholds u
opinion then a change in t s nf
sarily will follow to pr n
international complication or t
ton OF normal foreign 81
passenger travel
The decision. rendered l. rrdr1
Of Secretary OF the Treasury .c clAriiv
the situation as TO the carrying Q
liquors. places the broadest possible con
struction upon both the liquor amend
n1ent and the Nolstead enforcement acj
II is sustained and supported By copious
quotations from Supreme Court dec
sions and interpretations OF the organic
law.
Liquor was permitted on shippins
BOARD vessels under an opinion bN
E.lmer SchlessinEer counsel fot tra