The New York herald., 1922-09-22
SymOnette, Owner of the
Liquor Squadron, Said
to Be in New York.
LEGAL QUESTION RAISED
State Department Never Has
Countenanced Treasury's
Ruling on Sea Seizures.

Atlantic waters are being searched
carefully for the British yacht On
ward, supposedly liquor laden, which
on Wednesday refused to permit GUS
tom officials from the ex-submarine
chaser Hahn to go aboard and investi-
gate her cargo.
The United States Revenue Cutter
Seneca, under Capt. Reid, division
chief of Coast Guards at the Custom
House, left yesterday morning in quest
of the Onward. which formerly was the
property of Henry Ford. but now sup
posedly is owned by a Capt. Symo-
nette. Dry agents asserted that Symo-
nette is operating several rum run
ming vessels from Nassau.
The Seneca is under orders from
Washington to find the Onward and
report Immediately to H. c. Stuart,
Acting Collector Of Customs The
Seneca will determine the exact posi-
ton OF the Onward. and if it is estab-
lished that the craft was within the
fed the custom officers the Onward
will be seized regardless of where she
is found on the authority Of John d.
Appleby, Zone Chief and supervisor
of the prohibition navy.
On orders of Attorney-General Daugh-
erty the Seneca will try to determine II
seanlen of the Onward are communicate
Ing with persons In the United States or
II persons from the United States have
boarded the vessel
VIII Seize Broken Cargoes.
American marine laws provide custom
officials with authority to board all
vessels within the twelve mile limit Re-
gardless OF any controversy over the
status Of the Onward, all vessels within
the twelve mile zone that show signs Of
broken cargoes will be seized inmedi-
ately. said Mr.. Appleby. who added:
AS in the case of the Onward, when
vessel is known to be a rum runner.
we will seize her ii she has LIQUOR
aboard. even though her cargo may not
be broken.
The Onward. 50 far as I am abls
to learn. is owned by Capt. Symonette,
that she Is of British registry. despite
the fact that she flies the British flag.
Even In the event she really is !,
British craft. I am certain that the
British Government will not protest her
seizure when she Is flagrantly violating
the laws of this country"
The Onward has been under observa-
ton OF prohibition officials for some
time. About six weeks ago she was
qiRhfa1 "a tvra -Gx,a
Jersey Coast. apparently headed for New
Brunswick from Nassau with a cargo
of liquor.
Symonette May He in City.
According to Mr.. Appleby. Symonette
may be in New York at this time direct
ing the movements of the Onward and
other rum running vessels.
Great Britain has not protested
against the attempted seizure OF the
Onward. Despite the apparent attempt
of officials in Washington to make light
of the matter. IL Is believed that the
State Department soon will make a rul-
ing on the American policy of sezing
vessels that come with the twelve mile
zone, but not within the three mile
limit. The State Department, 1t Is un-
derstood. has never sanctioned the
Treasury Departments ruling regarding
the seizure of vessels outside the three
mile zone.
The Onward, according TO cable ad-
vices from London. has no right to ily
the British flag. The British Govern
ment, said the dispatch. has had no
word of the attempted seizure of the
vessel The British will assume the
stand that they cannot interfere with
rum running. said the London dispatch.
although they are willing to help as
much as possible and consistent with
international law.