The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-30
DIPLOMATS
FEAR NEW
TANGLE
Curzon Speech in Parliament
I. Seen as Plain Warning
From Britain.
BY w. H. ATKINS.
International News Service.

The United States today faced a
serious crisis with foreign powers
: ever American prohibition laws.
The State Department clearly
was perturbed over the attitude of
Great Britain. The plain warn
ing conveyed by Lord Curzon, that
while American seizures of bev-
erage liuors on foreign ships is
admittedly legal, yet cannot be
: condoned as in strict conformity
: with international practice or
comfy, was the cue for a stir in
the entire diplomatic corps.
Diplomats Disturbed.
While the State and Treasury
departments today had only the
brief and seemingly unifnportant
''protests,.' of foreign ship captains
whose vessels had been boarded and
liquors seized by Government Gus
toms officers, foreign embassies and
LEGATIONS were disturbed over the
real purpose of the American
Government.
Diplomats. in conversations with
State Department officials, claimed
that their governments were in no
sense acquiescing in any plan by
foreign ship lines to persist in bring
ing beverage liquors into American
territorial waters.
Government officials communica-
ted to leading diplomats informally
the impression that the American
Government would prefer to have
transatlantic steamship lines con.
Z - 1~v ~
medicinal requirements, until the
doubtful issues now involved can be
more clearly defined, either through
diplomatic negotiation or by Con-
gress.
Curb ON Dry Officials.
Prohibition officials and customs
officers are under strict instruc-
tons not to transgress the "riile Of
reason"
Secretary of State Hughes has
left to the Treasury Department en-
tire discretion in the matter Of en-
forcenneI1t OF the liquor hws aboard
foreign ships That means that
while President Harding, Secretary
Mellon and most Of the Cabinet are
out of Washington, no radical
change in Government policy at
place.
Outbursts from unofficial prohibit
ton sources, which finally led to
the framing of regulations which
would have meant precipitate SeiZ-
ure of foreign vessels with beverage
liquors regardless Of consequences
have been discounted heavily with
in the past forty-eIght hours. Some
officials. in the absence OF the Pres
ident ''fell for the idea" but re-
sponsible heads of the State and
Treasury refused to follow the lead.
In high circles, the suggestion was
made today that in the absence Of
the President, an attempt was made
ton" and acknowledged prohibit
tionists were blamed for the at
tempt Apparently, there was a
purpose to maneuver the admins
tration into a position with respect
to foreign powers that might be alb
golutely binding in the future-even
If it meant war, according to re-
liable informants of the Interna-
tional News Service.
Hughes Silent on Plans.
How Secretary Hughes will dis
pose of the new problem inspired by
Lord Curzon's utterance practically
defying American prohibition effort,
was not explained at the State De-
partment. Plainly there was a fecl-
ing that British ethics in Parl:a-
ment had robbed the American Sec
rotary Of the first chance to know
what Curzon thought about the big
problem.
Secretary Hughes held his own
counsel today in all the speculation
OF what he might favor IL foreign
ship continue to transport liquors
into American waters. Secretary of
the Treasury Mellon, reaching Eng
land promptly denied reports that
the United States would seize foreign
ships. But he was silent over all
future plans. He is on vacation and
wants nothing official to worry
about. 1t is safe to say his sub.
ordinate at the Treasury will not
quickly upset his well matured pro
gram.
That program contemplates com.
mon sense and reasonable discretion
in dealing with the foreign end of
the Treasury's liquor tangle, Mellon
does not believe in plunging into a
lot Of needless trouble. He is espe
cially Jealous in avoiding the trou
bles that have been set for him by