Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-09-23
RUN NAVYS
ACTIVITY IS
BADLY MIXED
Washington Puzzled at DIFF.
ference in LOndOn's
Policy.
WILL SEARCH SHIPS
Have Received no Reply TO Note Dis
patched to London in July-War on
Rum Runners Will Continued ed
dss Return Watched.

Washington, Sept. 23.-While the
Treasury Departments rum navy
gives logged battle to British-fagged
rum runners and the State Depart
ment awaits reply to its representa-
tions made to Great Britain for per-
mission to search British ships on the
high seas, diplomatic Washington is
puzzled by an apparent difference in
policy between two governmental
agencies.
When the State Departments note
to London was dispatched late in July,
it was generally believed that the
rum navy would suspend its campaign
against the British rum runners as
a matter Of diplomatic courtesy.
Continuance of the rum navy's ac-
tivity, in the opinion of Interested
diplomats here, either means that the
policies of the two departments are in
open and unrestrained conflict, or that
the Treasury Department has had its
orders from a higher authority, the
Cabinet, to Garry on" and disregard
diplomatic procedure.
The return of Sir Auckland Geddes,
British ambassador, to Washington
from Maine last night is watched with
interest here. Diplomats who have
followed the course of the rum-smug-
Cling question, predict early develop
ments as a result.
In some quarters it is believed that
the British have not risked a protest
against the recent molestations Of
British ships by the rum navy because
they did not wish thus indirectly to
reply to the American representations.
The British reply, some feel, will
combine a refusal of the American
suggestions with a strong protest
against the unrestrained campaign Of
the rum navy during the progress OF
the negotiations today
The American note to Great Britain
was first announced from London on
July oath and was not confirmed IN
Washington until nearly week later.
In effect, it proposed that Great Brit
ain request her colonies to use great
er care in the issuance 10 ships OF
clearance papers. Double clearane
papers have complicated the work oil
the rum navy in some cases.
1t further suggested that the Unit
ed States and Great Britain enter a
mutual agreement whereby each could
seize and search the others vessels at
a reasonable distance beyond the three
mile limit.
The proposal was ridiculed in GER
tain sections of the British press, but
20 official announcement has been
made which would give any indication
of the British attitude toward it.
The long delay in replying and the
continuance of the campaign against
British ships have combined to set
diplomatic Washington on edge and
no surprise would be occasioned by a
sudden ana amazing elbow Off"
Wayne B. Wheeler, general coun-,
sci of the anti-saloon league issued
a statement declaring the United
States has the right under the How
ering act to investigate the cargo or
any vessel within the twelve mile
limit.
THE lowering acts have been on
our statue books since 1899" Wheel
err said. They provide, in effect that
every master of vessel laden with
merchandise bound to any port. In
the United States shall, on arrival
within four leagues of the coast, pro
duce on request, a copy of the mani
fest and shall deliver same to the
custom officers.