Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-17
BRITISH DEFENCE

Washington, Oct. 16-British re-
lection of the American proposal for
treaty to extend the right of search
OF vessels up to 10 miles off shore.
was contained in a note handed to
Secretary Hughes today by Ambass-
ador Geddes. The communication
was in reply TO Mr.. Hughes note of
June 26, setting out difficulties en-
countered 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 three mile limi was in
prospect. Action of the cabinet re-
Gently in approving the abandonment
of search presumably because of pos
sible international difficulties, coupled
with the British reply of today. ap-
peared to indicate that operations
would continue to be confined within
recognized territorial waters.
The American note dealt particu-
larry with smuggling operations from
British possessions in waters ada
cent to the American coast and sug-
gested methods by which the exist
ing extremely unfortunate conditions
might be remedied." Among these
was a proposal for careful supervis-
ion of registries and clearance pa
pers granted to suspected vessels
and IAN international arrangement
between the United States and Great
Britain, under which the authorities
of each nation would be authorized
to exercise beyond the three mile
limit of territorial waters. : measure
of control over vessels belonging to
the other There was appended an
inquiry as to whether the British
government was disposed to agree to
the reciprocal right of search up to
II miles from shore, which it was
pointed out, would imply no incon-
venience to the legitimate trade be-
tween Nassau and Halifax passing
at no point within four leagues of
American shores.
In reply. Ambassador Geddes poin-
ted out that his government had al
ready taken steps before Mr. Hughes
note was received to prevent the
practices as to registry issuance and
clearance papers 10 which attention
had been drawn. These steps had
|, been supplemented since then. he
added. and the British government
hoped that the measures taken will
prove successful in preventing any
breaches in the local law"
The American note was quite long
and pointed out that British territor-
les apparently ARE made bases of OPP
Grafton in fragrant violation of con-
s:itutional and statutory provisions of
the United States"
This departments attention has
been drawn to the ease with which it
seems vessels of American registra-
ton are transferred to British regis
try for the purpose of preventing the
authorities of the United States from
taking the necessary steps to thwart
these smuggling operations" the
United States note read. 1t is under
stood that. British law requires that
vessels. to be entitled to British regis
try, must be owned by British sub
jects. Apparently reliable information
indicates that American citizens of
questionable reputation who are known
to be engaged in the smuggling bust
ness, have succeeded in obtaining
British registry at the Bahamas
Islands for large number Of Ameri-
can vessels by means of the execution
Of paper transfers purporting to con-
vey titles to vessels to British sub
jects in the Bahamas, although the
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