The New York herald., 1922-10-02

like others, profit financially by the
war;
knowing the splendid reputation OF
Monsieur and understanding that he
mas the power to win many conces-
sions from the French Government,
Americans Of wealth approached him
with the request that he take their
money and erect upon the island OF
st. Pierre large American distillery
American money has done it in
Mexico, in Havana. Why not in ST
Pierre? Is it not so?"
"Mais oui." agrees Monsieur Alfalfa
AS for the rest of us up there in
the bow of the Pro Patria, we are
an ordinary lot Of sailors, traders,
thugs, rum runners, bootleggers and
nondescripts. OF all of us there is
but one man who seems pretty GER
tain of having come to ST. Pierre on
mission not related to the rum traf-
fic. He is the owner of a small coal
mine In Nova Scotia and he came
to sell coal II he could. AS 1t turned
out he sold no coal, for the product
Of his mine suffers from i'll repute
in these islands. He is a very re-
spectacle looking man. too, and in this
also he is set apart from us as are
Monsieur Alfalfa and his secretary
interpreter.
The $1O,OOO,O0O Output.
But down there on the quay, Here,
my friend, we have furore. We clam
Der over the Pro Patria's side and
leap to the dock. There is a ladder
and helping arms for the women and
children. but for us men it means
hurting our baggage over and follow
ing it as best we can. We land upon
the quay and are showed through the
customs by one Of st. Pierre's three
gendarmes (they are going to need
800 IL st. Pierre does as big a busi-
ness as Nassau has) and magnifi-
Gently uniformed customs officer.
So here we are in this hitherto al
most unknown French colony off the
south coast OF Newfoundland and out
Of which since the first day of this
year have gone, in all manner and de-
scription of vessels. TO the United States
more than 500 900 cases of British and
American whiskies and French bran
dies for which the rum runners paid
about 10000, 900. the average price per
case here in st. Pierre for all OF IL
being about $50 (. o. b. the rum run
ming ship.
OF that $10000,O00 the French Gov
ernment has taken about $1.750. 900.
For every case OF hard liquor imported
into st. Pierre $3.50 has gone into the
French treasury. that being the duty
a case exacted by Paris. And this
(take it from the merchants of St
Pierre themselves) is but a start.
Within six weeks from the date OF the
publication of this story winter will
have settled upon these northern
waters and these dismal islands.
Unlike the semi-tropical Bahamas,
the Miquelons and st. Pierre are forced
to suspend general traffic in the win
ter. But with the coming of spring
st. Pierre purposes having within it's
houses another 100 900 ready tolrelease
to the States. and there is not a mer-
chant here who will not predict that
upward of 100000 cases of booze will
leave this tiny port next year for dis
tribution, through well organized chan
nels, in tho United States. In n later
article these figures will be analyzed
In greater detail.
The Arrival.
SO we resume our story OF our ar
rival in st. Pierre. They are lenient
with you in the customs. They desire
TO do nothing that will discourage
you. What, for example. IL the agent
OF a rum running syndicate were 20 be
offended and. piqued, report adversely
upon st. Pierre as a source of supply.
Would that not be most unfortunate !?
II would. Therefore we are treated
most courteously in the customs shed.
And theni You are set upon,
fawned upon. almost caressed by fifty
merchants who, first of all, desire to
know whether you speak French. No?
Well, what OF IL? They will speak
English. Would you care to buy the
schooner Paradis? Two hundred and
twenty-five tons net Can carry $500
cases. Already equipped with French
papers, French captain, French mate
and engineer and six French sailors.
All she needs Is a crew complement.
You may place thereon six sailors of
your own-English speaking ones.
And how about 1000 cases of Black
and White delivered on your own
boat at s21.50 and God bless you?
Would Monsieur care TO make an ap-
pointmcnt with the most reliable com
missioner in st. Pierre, who would, at