The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1922-10-07
Transportation or Sale of In
tOxicants on U. S. Ships
Anywhere Inhibited.
WILL NOT APPLY TO
PANAMA CANAL ZONE
Philippines, Porto Rico, Hawaii
and Virgin Islands and
Alaska Included.
ley The Associated Rr.as.l

WASHINGTON, Oct. 6-Au vAssa1s
American and foreign owned. are probfb-
ited from having liquor on board in
American territorial waters under an in
terpretation of the prohibition amend
ment and the enforcement act. handed
down today by the department of Justice.
Moreover, the transportation or sale Of
intoXicants on American craft. wherever
operated, was held to be inhibited.
American territorial waters were con-
strued to include those not only within
the three mile limit of continental United
States, but also those within the same
limit OF the Philippines. the Hawaiian
Islands. Porto Rico. the Virginia Islands
and Alaska. The law would not apply in
the Panama canal zone as that is spe-
officially exempted by the statute itself.
So far as American ships are concerned.
the sale or transportation of liquor will
cease at once or as soon as those vessels
reach their home ports. In the case Of
foreign ships the decision will become
operative as soon as the necessary regu-
lations can be prepared and promulgated
by the treasury department
Court action looking final determine
tion of the application of dry laws to for
foreseen by both Attorney General Daugh-
erty and Chairman Lasker. Of tho ship
ping board. Mr.. Daugherty said he had
already been advised that a case was
about to be filed which would bring the
issue to the supreme court.
Chairman Lasller was of the opinjon
that the first move of foreign lines yzould
be to seek injunction restraining the
government from enforcing the law. He
said it was reasonable to suppose that
the courts would grant such an Injunction
withsa result that forign ships would con-
| tinue TO arrive with liquor on board I'M
til there was a final decision by the
highest court The attorney general said
his department would cooperate in every
effort TO expedite a ruling by the su-
preme court.
Publication OF the opinion OF the de
partment of justice followed a White
House conference TO which President
Harding summoned Mr. Daugherty. Sec
retarys Hughes and Mellon and Chair
man Lasker. Various phases Of the sit
uation were discussed. Of the possible re-
suits of the enforcement upon internal re-
lations Of the United States
High administration officials explained
there was no course for the executive
branch of the government. except to en-
force the law as interpreted by the legal
department. The Interpretation was
based upon recent decisions Of the su-
preme court in a case involving the au-
thority Of the United States TO interfere
with the transfer Of LIQUOR cargo from
one foreign ship to another in an Amer
can port
In a divided opinion. the court oon-
firmed the authority Of prohibition agents
to prevent such transfer. and. in the
view Of this the attorney general went 50
far as to hold that the eighteenth amend
ment and the Volstead Act repealed q
prior existing treaty with Great Britain.
Chairman Lasker predicted that the en-
forcement OF the law would operate 10
an immediate disadvantage Of the Amer
ican merchant marine and would make
more necessary enactment OF the ship
subsidy bill if the American flag is 10
stay on the high seas.
An undoubted effect Of the enforcement
Mr. Lasker said. would be to hamper the
shipping TO tks Orient and South Arnerl-
ca. He expected Vancouver. British CO.
lumbia. 10 profit al the expense. partic-
ularly Of Seattle and Portland in the
Oriental trade ard Montreal at the ez-
pense of New York in the South Amer
lean trade. Also he looked for Montreal
to gain over New York in the trans-At-
lantic trades.
Irrespective Of the decision of the su-
preme court the shipping board chair
man said foreign shipping would have an
advantage over the American lines He
said av-en 81 the court should boSd that
foreign ships might not bring liquor into
American territorial waters. they could
sell up 10 the three mile limit on their in
ward voyage. and dump overheard any
rennaining stocks.
In discussing the opinion, Air. Lasker
emphasized that ne was viewing the cit
uation as it existed and that he spoke
neither ''as a wet or dry"