Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-10-13
FRENCH LINE TO
FIGHT RULING


French Line has decided to fight the
Washington ruling against the carry
ing of liquor by foreign owned lin
ers within territorial waters in the
Supreme Court and, in the event of
an adverse decision there, will move
to obtain an appeal to the interna-
tional court of justice at The Hague,
it was learned today.
Liquor as usual up othe three
mile-limit. was the decision the board
of directors of the French Line made
today after two long sessions. '"Then
seal up the bars and let international
law take its course
This was the only information OBJ
tainable at the general offices of the
French Line this evening.
The British lines are understood
to be in perfect harmony with the
French company in this matter. The
first test case is likely to arise when
the White Star Liner Majestic, which
is scheduled to sail from Cherbourg,
October IS, reaches New York.
The French government had decid-
ed to await developments, leaving
the question for the present entirely
in the hands of the shipping COM
panies. They will, however, make
representations should the vested
rights of it's nationals, represented
by sailors and stokers aboard French
owned ships and flying the French
flag, be deprived of their half or en-
tire litre of wine.
M. Rio, minister Of merchant mar
inc, is preparing the data on the
subject for Premier Poincare. The
latter may take up the matter with
Washington. should the French own
ed ships be seized. NJ. Rio has asked
the opinions Of French experts Of in
ternational law.
Concerning the privilege Of the
United States to accept. or reject the
jurisdiction of the interna tional court
of Jusice at The Hague. members Of
the cabinet have expressed the opin-
ion, that, although the United States
is not member of the League of Ma
tions. it has one judge sitting therein
III the person of John Bassett Moore.
1t is the opinion here that the Uni
ted States government would be I'M
willing to go on record as refusing
to arbitrate a matter of this sort be-
fore such a tribunal.
French line officials are absolutely
appalled, at the Washington reports
that their ships are liable to seizure
as common smugglers. They declare
that. outside the financial loss which
would be irremediable, there is the
question of personal privilege and
liberty on which they would be I'M
willing to yield.
ut cannot be true" said General
Manager o. j. Dial Piaz. of the French
Line, to the Associated Press this
evening. 1--WE have not been officially
informed of any such radical chang
es and shall continue as heretofore"
Taking wine away from our sailors
and stokers is just like taking milk
away from babies said M. Villiers.
head quartermaster of the French
Line. to the Associated Press cores
pendent. Il am positive that we
would be unable to muster crews for
New York. should the edict be up
held. Wine is one of the prmest
necessities of life for these boys"
The financial loss to the French
line would be hundreds of thousands
of francs monthly.
The Partisan evening newspapers
take a decided attitude against the
American ruling, La Liberte says:
Wine is our patrimony. the same
as our literature, our art and our
science. 1t cannot be taken away
from U.S."