The New York herald., 1922-10-18

ernment obviate the storm OF protest
that is brewing.
At prohibition headquarters it was
said the regulations under the Depart
ment OF Justice ruling would be ready
for tho signature OF the Secretary of the
Treasury by the end OF this week and
that every effort was being made TO get
around what is called the delicate
aspect OF the situation"
The extreme vanguard OF the dry
forces, resenting the attitude of Great
Britain, is insisting that the Adminstra-
tlon keep up the drive for the extension
Of the three mile limit. At the same
time II was intimated at the State De-
partment that the correspondence so
far as the suggestion for treaty was
concerned might be considered CLOSED"
President Harding hopes a decision of
the supreme Court may clear up the
ship liquor situation to the satisfaction
of foreign countries. This hope Is not
shared, however, by high officials OF
the Administration, who believe the ''po-
litical" or semi-political character of
most liquor decisions will compel the
President TO ask for modification of the
Nolstead act.
Plan to Seal Liquor.
The prospect OF the extent of the
needed modification was widened when
an official declared it would not be
enough TO take the insular possessions
out of the prohibition dragnet, but that
reasonable allowances must be made for
foreign ships in American waters. While
asserting that he was not speaking for
the Administration or reflecting the
mind" of the President. this official
stated that II would be his idea as
practical proposal that foreign vessels
should be required merely to seal their
liquor supplies I'm the territorial waters
OF the United States. Whether such
sealing would conflict with national and
contractua regulations providing for the
supply Of liquor as regular part OF
ship ratlons, he said, was a problem.
That this aspect Of the ruling is Civ
ing concern to the French Government
is indicated by the QUESTIONABLE sub
mitted to the Treasury Department. The
QUESTIONABLE also revealed that tfe
threat to ''confiscate ships of foreign
nations as II they were bootleg i!ivvers"
is being seriously challenged.
Pointing out that French laws require
ships Of French registry TO carry liquor
as part OF the ration for their crews. the
QUESTIONABLE asked II the Government
agents would stop at seizing the liquor
aboard or would seize the ships. This
question headed a list OF five or six.
The next in importance was whether the
Treasury Department would agree TO a
test case in the courts before the regu-
lations were actually put into effect.
These questions were first asked oral
ly by attorneys for French interests. but
later put in writing, and the Depart
ment has them. under consideration
No foreign ships will be seized with
Secretary Melons consent The regula-
tions which will be on the desk of In
ternai Revenue Commissioner blair by
the end of the week, If the program OF
the prohibition unit is carried out, will
not provide for seizure of foreign ships.
They will leave loophole for shipments
of liquor to embassies and legations, and
may enable foreign ships to carry out
the laws requiring liquor for the crews.
Italy, Spain land, 10 an extent, Japan
will join France in request for a rul-
ing on this point.
All prohibition enforcement agents do
not agree with Secretary Mellon in his
rule of reason" Interpretation OF the
Daugherty opinion. They want TO seize
foreign ship for tho sensation and
effect 1t will have on those violating the
dry laws. Secretary Mellon has nipped
In the bud q movement In the depart-