The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-04
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 ANNATIONAL f' NU CAPITAL #EzllIs;:safAls 2 1

The supreme court or the Gnlted States, some months ago, rendered the opinion that under the consti- tuition no vessel could bring liouor, sealed or unsealed, into the ports of the United States.
 Foreign vessels immediately tested the firmness of the author tiles of the United States. They. came into ports bearing liquor carefully sealed. Officers Of the United States boarded these ves- sels, smashed the matches and confiscated the liquor.
 The United States thus proved to the world that the dignity of the law and of the constitution of this country must be sustained whatever the cost might be.
 Foreign vessels are very anx- ious to bring liquor into the United States. Embassies are un- der contract to serve their sea men so much wine per day. In the third place, it was burden some if not impossible to trans port across the Atlantic a cargo of liquor for service to passen- gers, dump that cargo at the three-mile limit, go into port, and returning, pick up that cargo for service to passengers on the re- turn trip.
 At the same time, the United States was anxious to do away with the immunity reserved for liquor smugglers beyond the three-mile limit. It was believed by some authorities of the gov ernment that but for such im- munity smuggling could be pre- vented.
 Under the circumstances, tf1e United States and owners of for was burdensome, the law which prevented ships bearing liquor to enter the United States ports, and the law preventing seizure by the United States of smuggling crafts lowering Beyond the three mile limit.
 How to make the constitution, sustained by a decision of the su- preme court and repeatedly up- held by force of constituted au- thorities, dead letter, and the international law making the sea beyond three miles from the coast common ground" became a prob lem interesting enough to engage the attention of no less an indi- vidual than Charles E. Hughes, secretary of state. MT. Hughes, finally, offered to barter the con- efi a rgo England has tentatively agreed, and other countries, 1t Is likely, will follow suit.
 As a result. foreign vessels, contrary to law, the constitution and the highest legal authority of the United States, will soon enter the ports of the United States with their cargoes of liquor, and the United States will seize and search suspicious vessels lowering beyond the three-mile limit. though not exceeding nine miles beyond the three.mile limit.
 Foreign vessels. as result of the sacrifice of principles, may enjoy Inelr new rlSntS without nanulcap. The United States, however, be- fore 1t can seize, search and con- must first be sure of its ground, and then catch the guilty. It Is a question whether or not the Yankee instinct for trade has been completely outclassed.
 At any rate, Wayne B. Wheeler, general counsel of the Anti-Saloon League. is highly skeptical.
 q do not believe" he says. that even treaty provision al- lowing liquor to be transported within, our three-mile limit would be legal. In addition, representa- tives of our shipping interests have expressed opposition to such provision because 1t would give foreign vessels an advantage over our own. Foreign vessels under the cloak of liquor under seal have abused the privilege fla grantly for over two years, and would do so again unless new and stronger safeguards were provided"