The Washington times., 1922-08-03

American coast. This England
has refused. The menacing situa:
tion arising theretrOn, and legal
reasons Vhy the American Govern
ment is justified in its contens-
plated step are explained by
Americas foremost advocate Of
the VOlstedd ldtU.
By WAYNE B. WHEELER,
General Counsel. Anti-saloon League.
Copyright. 1919. by Cosmopolitan News
Service.)
Liquor smuggling Is the greatest
menace to prohibition enforcement
which We now face. The proposed
eighteen-mile limit, inside which
any liquor-smuggling ship would be
liable to seizure by the United
States, is conservative. No foreign
ship will be interfered with that
does not violate the Constitution Of
the United States.
Right 10 Sea.
Every nation has a right to sp-
propriate to her own use a portion
Of the sea around her shores, and TO
legislate respecting vessels coming
within that line. In early days, the
limit was established as a cannon
shot. Later this was fixed as q
marine league. or three miles.
cannon shot today would mean a
much greater distance. In order to
get the same protection with new
Ika0 n
been extended. The Supreme Court
Court Ruling.
THE authority Of a nation within
its own territory Is absolute and tx.
elusive. The seizure Of vessel
within the range Of its cannon by q
foreign force 10 an invasion OF that
territory, and 10 a hostile act which
II Is It's duty to repel. But It's power
to secure itself from injury may GER
tainly be exercised beyond the limits
of it's territory. Amy attempt 10
violate the laws made TO protect this
right Is an injury to itself which II
may prevent, and II has q right TO
use the means necessary for its pre-.
vention. These means do not ap-
pear TO be limited within any certain
marked boundaries. which remain
the same at all times and In all sit
uations. In different seas. and on
different coasts. a wider or more
contracted range. in which to exsr:
else the vigilance of the government.
will be asserted"
The three mile limit IL not a fixed
boundary but. on the contrary. has
been treated merel yas a convenient
~ l.
an attempt TO extend exclusive
Jurisdiction TO the eighteen mile
mile limit II contemplates its appli-
cation simply TO rum smuggling
ships and then only when destined
for the United States, or when the
lIduor on board Is intended to be
supplied to citizens OF this country
contrary to it's constitutional policy.
There Is a distinction between the
exercise OF protective Jurisdiction
for certain purposes, such as this
measure would provide, and eS.
elusive Jurisdiction. This amend.
ment coptemplates the application
II the same principle TO liquor.
since IL has become outlawed by the
Eighteenth Amendment to the Con.
stitution, as was applicable to II
when II was attempted TO be
smuggled into the country in viola.
ton Of the revenue laws prior 10
prohibition.
"Hovering" Laws.
For the purpose OF enforcing our
liquor revenue laws, the limit has
been twelve miles since 1899. Nor.
way extended her three-mile limit
10 ten In SEPTEMBER, 1921. Our
twelve-mile hovering laws were
copied from England. Rum SNUG
Cling foreign ships are lowering
along the coast OF the United States
We cannot successfully cope with
these Illicit dealers under the pres.
ent three-mile limit law. Liquor
smugglers are the most elusive and
dangerous lawbreakers to appre-
hend.
A company s now being organ.
lied to permit recreation vessels to
be anchored Just outside the three
mile limit liquor and other Eu.
ropean entertainment.
To those who will be transported
from the shore the plan 10 to make
reservations for guests by the day
or week. Unless the Jurisdiction OF
the United States Is extended. liz.
uor will be smuggIed into the
country In great quantities.
The Supreme ourt recently de.
clared the Eighteenth Amendment
10 be nforoeable With nour juris.
diction, former treaties and former
laws to the contrary, notwithstand.
ing. No foreign nation should
protest against a law or ite en-
forcement to prevent liquor
smuggling. Law enforcement is an
essential to civilization.
Good will can be best promoted
between the nations by the observ.
ance OF laws enacted for the pub.
lie wlfare.