Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1922-10-21
BLOCK SEIZURE
OF WET SHIPS
British Decline to Agree TO Ex-
tend Right of Search
WILL HELP ENFORCE LAW
Tricks OF smuaucr Secretary
Hughes Explains Methods EN-.
aloyed To Evade Clutches
or Law.


Washington British rejection Of
the American proposal for a treaty to
extend the right - search OF vessels
up to 10 miles OF shore was contained
in note handed to Secretary Hughes
by Ambassador Geddes The commu'
nication was In reply to Mr.. Hughes
note OF June %. setting out difficulties
encountered by American prohibition
enforcement officers in checking the
Illicit flow Of intoxicants into the
United States.
Secretary Hughes made public his
correspondence with the ambassador
without comment. There was moth
ing to indicate that any further step
to extend the right Of search for
American prohibition officers beyond
the three.mile limit was in prospect.
Action OF the Cabinet recently In APP
proving the abandonment OF such
search presumably because OF pos
sible international difficulties. coupled
with the British reply. appeared to
indicate that operations would con-
tinue 10 he confined within recognized
territorial waters.
The American note dealt particu-
larry with smuggling operations from
British possessions in water adjacent
TO the American coast and suggested
methods by which the existing ex-
tremely unfortunate conditions might
be remedied."
Among these was proposal for
careful supervision of registries and
clearance papers granted TO suspected
vessels and IAN international ar
rangement between the United States
and Great Britain under which the
authorities OF each nation would be au-
mile limit OF territorial waters a
measure OF control over vessels be-
longing to the other"
There was appended an inquiry as
to whether the British Government
was disposed 10 agree 10 the roci-
procal right Of search up to - miles
from shore. which. il was pointed out
would imply no Inconvenience to the
legitimate trade between Nassau and
Halifax passing ~ no point within
four leagues Of American shores
In reply Ambassador Geddes pointed
ont that his Government bud already
taken steps before Mr. Hughes note
was received to prevent the practices
as to registry issuance and clearance
r9pers to which attention had been
drawn. These steps had been supple
meuted since then. he added. and the
British Government hoped that meas
ur"s taken will prove successful in
preventing any breaches In the local
law"
With relation to the proposed treaty.
however. he said;
His maiesty's government have
consistently opposed any extension Of
the limit Of territorial waters such as
that now suggested. They feel that
tho outbreak Of smuggling which has
led to the proposal canno, be regarded
as a permanent condition. but as one
which Will no doubt he suppressed by
the United states authorities within
the not distant future.
While, Therefore they are DESTROYS
Of assisting the United States Gov.
eminent 10 the best OF their ability In
the suppression OF the traffic and in
the prevention Of the ahuse Of the
British flag by those engaged in II,
they do not feel thar they can proper
~ acqniesce, fl order to meet a tenn.
porary emergency, in the abandon
mont Of a princirlt 10 which they at
tach great Importance.
The American note was quite long
and pointed out that British terri.
tories apparently ARE made bases Of
operation in fragrant violation OF con.
stitutional and statutory provisions Of
the United States"