New-York tribune., 1922-10-17
Cooperation to Check ALI
Smuggling Pledged, but
Balks at Compact for
Searches ON Open Sea
Official Collusion
Charged by Hughes
g.iquor-Running Vessels
Given Dual Clearances
at Bahamas, He Says

Yrons Pie TyibRse,s Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, " Oct 16.-The Brit
Ssh government to-day declined the
sugs.estion Of the United States for a
ueatY TO extend the right Of search
III ships up to twelve miles off the
coast. Coincident with the announces
ment Of this decision, Secretary of
State Hughes made public correspond
fnce charging that authorities in the
Bahamas had aided rum runners in
Grading the law.
The British governments note, hand
ss to Nh Hughes by Sir Auckland
Geddes, the British Ambassador. while
y rejects the suggestion OF this goy-
sinnient that reciprocal agreement be
made Tor the search of vessels under
SUSPICION OF operating in the LIQUOR
tsafic, gives assurance that the gov
eminent of Great Britain will coon
eata in the suppression Of the traffic
snd IN the prevention of the abuse
a the British flag by those engaged
II il"
IN the American note addressed to
fe British Ambassador by Mr.. Hughes
saJune 20, the difficulty of coping with
liquor runners outside the three-mile
Init was set forth. Complaint was
made that the British AUTHORITIES were
not strictly enforcing the law with
respect to transfer to British registry
ef fAmeriean vessels engaged in SNUG
cling operations.
Text of British Note
The text of the British reply fol-
lows:
4 "Sir:
/ Mr. Chiffon duly forwarded to His
Aajesty's government copy of your
note Of June 26th last in which certain
suggestions were made for co-opera-
Sion between the British and United
States authorities with the object of
restricting the smuggling of alcoholic
liquor into the United States.
am now directed to inform you
tnat lis Majesty's government have
nsIaraNy 1een desirous Of preventing,
Essse:'sssfe'y means within heir power,
say breaches of the law in the Ba-s
aaaaas Or elsewhere in the British
Ns# indies by persons engaged n
Aasit trade with the United States
shd tie proposals made by the United
olates government with this object
haM received the most sympathetic
scasderation. With the object of pre-
Mhsing the development of illegal
NattIces In connection with this traffic
Mstructions had, in fact, some months
hfare the receipt OF the representa-
fsas made by the United States gov
smment, been sent to the Governor of
tae Bahamas, who was at that time
ssauested to see that no Irregularities
q any kind should be permitted in
sanction with vessels clearing from
ttat colony, and that the formalities
required in connection with such clear
snees should be most strictly enforced.
Flag Transfers Scrutinized
instructions have also been given
70 the local registrars of shipping
which viii, it is anticipated, have the
tsheet OF preventing any future trans
lers OF United States vessels to the
frltish flag until complete investi-
CATION OF the circumstances can be
made. Investigations, which it is
haped Will shortly be concluded, are
ne'hg made into the position and pro-
seeaings OF the vessels, list of which
Was enclosed in your note of June 26th.
~ deaiIng with the precautions to
" taken to control transfers from
lls United States to the British flag,
sae suggestion that, in such cases, the
soeai registrar of shipping should re-
eelre the production Of q certificate
non the United States Shipping Board
has been carefully examined. 1t has
eesn found that there would be great
Mmsulties in the adoption on British
tffltory of such requirement., and
would be still more difficult to give
suen requirement the force of law.
TN view, however, to meeting the
NSnes OF the United States govern
snt ON this point as far as is prac-
Mble, instructions have been given
sae registrar of shipping at Nassau
me effect that, in transfer cases in
saca any possible doubt exists as to
e Bona tides of the parties to the
sanssction, the non-production of the
Mspplng board certificate should be
esea as a ground of suspicion, in
pylng reference of the case to the
soard of Trade in London for further
sttoas. The delay necessitated by
Procedure would, it is hoped, be
Nltself sufficient to reduce to a
mum the danger of transfers be-
successfully effected in improper
Continued on page four)