Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-09-27
FEAR BRITISH
WILL NOT PAY
Officials Anxious Lest Near
East Agitation Break
Up Plans
This Money is Needed to Pay of Lib
erty Loan Notes Which Are Due
Shortly-ActivitieS Of Dry Navy"
Are Interesting.
nv Isaac Gregg


Washington, Sept. 27.-Some anX-
ietv is being expressed by officials of
the Treasury Department lest the
promise on the part Of the British
government to pay to this country
Sl0O,0OO.O00 representing the in
terest on portion of the $4,000,000,-
eco borrowed by England from the
United States on account of the world
War NAV not be made good at this
time. Great Britain, through her Debt
Funding Commission, notified the
United States that she would be ready
to make d payment of $65,OOO,OOO on
October 15 and an additional $35,OOO,-
600 by November 10.
However, since the threatened re-
newal of hostilities IN the Near East
and the fact that the British gov
ernment made what is regarded in
well informed circles as active pre-
parations for hostilities with Turkey,
it may be that she will give this as
an excuse for not meeting her in
terests payments during the United
States at the present time.
The failure on the part Of the Brit
ish government to come through with
the $100,O00,000 would be disap-
pointment to Secretary Of the Irea-
sury Mellon and other officials OF the
Treasury Department. This money
has been counted upon in the retire
ment of a certain amount of the Vic
tory loan notes which are shortly to
become due 1t has been the wish of
the Treasury Department to retire
as many of these obligations as pos
sible in order that therc would be no
further drain upon the Treasurys fast
growing deficit during the present
riscal year.
There is no doubt that Great Brit
ain, if no other country, will make
good her indebtedness to this coun-
trv. So far as the other allied coun-
tries are concerned, it is very doubt
full if they will be able to make re-
stitution for the $1,000 900
which the United States advanced to
them when the World War broke
out. France, it is said, is in no posi-
ton at the present time to settle with
this government and neither Is Italy,
Belgium or any of the other smaller
countries that were compelled TO call
ance at time when the whole OF Eu-
upon this country for financial assist
rope was on the verge of bankruptcy.
But = settlement from Great Brit
ain will be a great help to the Trea-
smy Department, especially IN view
of the fact that the President has
already made the prediction that there
will be a deficit in this year I'M
ancial statement Of at least 9ooO'-
100000.
The contest that is now raging be-
tween representatives of the Prohi-
bition Unit, the customs officers and
the British government as to the
right of such officials to seize ships
flying the British flag and suspected
with being rum smugglers within
the four-league limit is being watch
ed with interest. 1t has generally
been regarded by maritime nations
that their vessels were safe from seiZ-
ure and search outside the three-mile
limit of any country. But the recent
activities of the dry" navy operat-
ing outside the waters Of New YORK
and New Jersey have caused Secre-
tarv of State Hughes and Sir Auck-
land Geddes, the British Ambassador
at Washington to take the matter up
officially with view to reachihe
some understanding in order tnac
the future activities of the prohloitiIoni
and customs officials may be seVtieu
for once and for all.
There is no doubt that the seizure
of alleged rum-carriers outside the
three-mila limit has caused the Anne
rican government a good deal OF con
Germ. The State Department has al
ways been careful not to dlSgTess
from the rules Of international ID"
in dealing with foreign governments
10 matter what the provocatloh
might happen to be. But apparently
the dry navy. in cooperation WIN
officials Of the customs service nave
taken it upon themselves TO wage
relentless warfare upon the rum traf-
fic in and around the At!antlG sea.
board even though the principles AZ
least of international practice ana
agreement Gfe disregarded'
Customs officials point out thdT j"
Selling rum ships within the twelve y
mile limit they are operating unuer @
an old agreement promulgated over over
100 years ago which was designed
to prevent the smuggling Of negroes
into this country from Africa ana ans
other noints in the Far East, II "ouIo
seem that this claim on theiI Pa.V
is rather far-fetched. espec'aiIy III
view Of the attitude Of various secreI I
taries of State that international
agreements should De based upon
sound Judgment and in fairness to all
the countries involved. The outcome
of the present negotiations between !.:i
Secretary Hughes and the BRITISH lsI
Ambassador, therefore. Will be wa'cn
ed with the deepest concern.