Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-26

\ Washington. May 25-(By A. Pr
Great Britain's position on the ships
liquor question. as communicated to
the State Department today by. the
British embassy, is understood to be
based on a contention that American
pert authorities have no Jurisdiction
in international law over liquor
brought into American water as q
part Of the regular supplies Of for
eign vessels.
The authority Of American officials,
under this construction. extends only
to portions Of the cargo Of foreign
ships which are intended to importa-
ton into the UnitedStates, and in no
way permits Of interference with
either the physical mechanism, ra-
tions, or stores Of such vessels when
they put into American ports.
While this principle apparently
conflicts with that recently laid down
by the supreme court, indications are
increasing that the treasury depart.
ment has found a way to reconcile
! the two by permitting ships under
foreign registry to list the wine ra-
tons OF their crews as a part Of the
medicinal stores allowable under the
law.
In the new regulations now being
drafted. treasury officials are said to
have taken due cognizance Of the fact
that the opinion of the supreme court
made no mention Of the medicinal
liquor clause. Some officials are
known to hold this clause to be broad
enough to protect liquor stocks from
confiscation il they are placed under
the charge of the ships doctors when
a vessel comes inside the three mile
limit.
1t was the original intention of the
British government to await issuance
OF the new regulations before making
representations on the subject. That
also has been the position of the
other maritime powers. The action
taken today, however apparently was
for the purpose of making known that
there is fundamental objection to
application of the prohibition law 10
foreign shipping.
The immediate effect Is to initiate
formal negotiations for the first time
since the court handed down its de-
cision.
Suggestions have come from some
quarters that special treaties might be
made exempting foreign ships from the
operation CT the Volstead law while in
American waters. Something of that
kind was limited at by the Dutch for
eign minister. Van Karnebeek. in a
statement in his parliament yesterday.
But 1T is believed to be improbable that
the Rrifich N mt h< v,tn
ing to adopt such a course, since 1t
might be regarded as an admission Of
the legality Of the American claim Of
jurisdiction.
The British communication submit
ted today to Secretary Hughes bears
the signature of Sir Auckland Geddes,
the British amba ssador. It is charac-
terized as in no sense a protest, but
rather as an appeal to the sense or
Justice OF the American government.
making the points that application Of
the Volstead law to foreign shipping
constitutes a radical departure from
all well established principles Of mari
time intercourse and so involves the
making Of new international law.
1t is understood that the British
communication is probably the fore
runner OF similar representations from
the chancellors Of other foreign pow
ers.
Although no advices have been re.
ceived by the Spanish embassy con-
corning the decision Of the Royal Span
fsh Steamship Line to eliminate it's di-
rect service from Spain to New York.
1t is fully understood that the embassy
will be among those who in due course
submit representations to the state de-
partment. Spain Is one Of the coun-
tries whose municipal law requires
that liquor be served as part Of the
rations to ships crews.
Abandonment of Royal Spanish
Steamships service to New York is not
believed here to materially affect traf-
fic between the two countries as ships
Of other countries in the Atlantic serv.
ice touch at Spanish ports and sailings
of the Spanish company's steamers are