Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-04-24
ORDERS FOR NAVY
To COMBAT LIQUOR
RUNNING PROBABLE
President Admits Cabinet
Has Discussed Rum Snug
Cling Fully and Hints at
Drastic Step by u, S,
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
Leased Wire Service to The Journal.)


s. Copyright, 1881
WASHINGTON, April 21.-The
navy of the United States may be
ordered into action soon against the
rum runners on all coasts. President
Harding has been advised that the
only practical course to stop boot
Logging on the seas is to have the
waters inside the three-mile limit
patrolled carefully by all the small
craft of the American navy.
For the time being no effort will
be made to tackle vessels flying
foreign flags and lying outside the
three-mile limit, but under a recent
court decision the prohibition au-
thorities feel justified in pursuing
any vessel flying any flag which
comes within the three-mile limit
and then makes a dash for outside
waters.
Although the higher courts have
not paGaed finally on the issue, pro-
hibition officials point to the precI
edent established in Scandinavian
countries where a twelve-mile limit
Is observed by vessels chasing those
engaged in smuggling. They have
no doubt that the twelve-mile limit
will be upheld by the highest Amer
lean courts and that it will have
distinct influence on the attitude
NJ foraior,, rrox,ar, Y,,or+- u,bo 49,
hibition enforcement contingent has
deferred to the wishes of the de-
partment of state in recent months
refraining from any act which
might cause international complica-
lions by seizure of vessels outside
The three-mile limit and the effect
If this policy has been to give
Secretary Hughes an opportunity to
negotiate quietly with foreign gov
srnments so that their cooperation
IN preventing their own vessels
from conspiring to violate Ameri-
citn laws might be obtained.
British Help Predicted
- a ASS11uS III OIICIdl CIT
c.es here that the British govern.
lnent lately has been disposed to
view with much more favor the over
lures of the United States govern
ment for a better understanding
with respect to the suppression of
rum running. The principle in
volved is an important one, for if
Great Britain were Indifferent to a
conspiracy to violate American laws
there might be reciprocal indif-
ference exhibited in some future
cases involving the same general
idea but of much more serious i'm
port to the British empire
Debates in the British parliament
within the last few weeks have in
dicated a belief on the part of some
of the members there that an Amer
lean sentiment against Great Brit
ain might be built up if rum run
ming was countenanced by the Brit
ish through improper clearance pa
pers and similar devices Whether
this is a correct view of American
sentiment is beside the subject, for
IL L 11cI Nt1IlS 411olSLS W tuS
British government that better CO.
operation be practiced he is very
likely to have his way. What the
British want really is to see whether
the United States government is it.
self in earnest.
The ordering of the navy into the
patrol business is one step which is
being urged by prohibitionists be-
cause they believe it will be evidence
of the good faith of the federal gov
eminent.
Cabinet to Act
President Harding has let it be
known in the last twenty-four hours
that the cabinet has discussed every
phase of rum running and that the
government is ready for important
action soon to be announced. Before
the step is taken, however, foreign
governments will have to be advised
of what is coming so that they may
caution their, nationals against en-
gaging in conspiracies to violate
American laws.
According to the prohibition en-
forcement officers here rum running
has declined materially in the last
lew months, cnl0Ily because OIL CuS
disputes among the rum runners
themselves, the growth of piracy
among the adventurous shippers of
rum running vessels and the huge
cost of arranging for the shipment
ashore of liquor from the larger to
the smaller vessels. Fhes wireless is
the principal medium of commune
cation but the government is exer'
cising not only a close watch on the
radio apparatus of the rum runners
but is keeping an eye on the small
craft It is admitted, however, that
the rum runners have had much the
better of it in evading the govern
ment patrol, especially in Florida
waters, but the use of the navy is
expected to change that aspect ma
+eriaIIy. All the submarine chasers
and light craft which have been idle
since tie war may be manned oS
the navy and sent on the enforce
Tnent patrol The administrator
has been hard pushed by the "drys'
to take this drastic step and the
drift today is toward complete ano
affective use of the sea forces of the
government to uphold the Volstead
act.