Evening star., 1923-12-10

Unqualified Endorsement OF the gov
ernments action in using shotted
guns to seize rum ships anywhere off
the coast when it can be shown that
they actually have been "in contact"
with the shore In smuggling rum lis
expressed by the majority Of editors.
They take the position that. after all.
lawbreakers are not entitled TO any
consideration, and that, even though
other countries may protest on tech
nicalities, they can be appeased when
explanations are made.
The latest discussion centers around
the Developments which have follow
ed the sei1ure Of the ship Tomoka of
New York harbor. The fact that she
claimed a British register and was
taken well outside the three. mile
limit should furnish no ground for
serious protest, it is argued, inasmuch
as there was no doubt she actually
had been operating inside OF the
three.mile limit and had unloaded a
good sized cargo which reached the
Am erican customers of thes bootleg
gers. -
record of the Tokoina," the Oakland
Tribune points out. "It was an armed
rum ship, in business to defraud the
1t does not seem possible that the
people of Great Britain will take the
cause OF the booze snuggler so much
TO heart. The great majority VIII say
that 1t served him right to be caught
While England differs with America
on the prohibition question Il has
similar policy In dealing with snug
Riers."
In addition prosecution. as the Lex
unaer IS" the he1q iieuor ria laws. because there
are other laws Of the United states
under which rum smugglers can be
apprehended. They afford the govern.
ment ample ground for action and
government taking offense. Mr.:
Hughes and Mr.. Mellon have acted
with great deliberation and caution
when little more determination
and independent course would nave
have been followed. Protests have
been formal. They have been without
any intention. apparently. OF makInx
trouble. No one wants 10 make any
trouble with this country over such
= matter. The government ought to
grip the problem firmly and refuse
fo be yictiniixed by a band OF adven.
turers who are little better than the
pirates and smugslers Of an earlier
and ruder time"
= X y
"a feeling of evaporation seizes
Americans--even those unsympathetic
within the prohibition law ITSELF
the Reading Tribune insists. when
crew OF men who would have been
ornaments TO Capt Kids vessels
can take an American ship, change II
to British registry, arm 1t with ma
chine guns and threaten the forces OF
the United States. Men from the
United States customs tug Lexington
were attacked and beaten by the Tomo.
ka,s crew before the Seneca took hand.
Taunts and insults were flung At the
Eeneea's skipper, combined with
threats 10 use the machine guns. Hope
may be expressed that he was within
his rights when he turned loose his
3-inch guns, but ne was not, sfhLil ,ha
,sen wenasr aisa,i.ies nis:'s Of the the law" 'oN
The action Of the United States has
the backing OF public sentiment In
Great Britain" the Pittsburgh Chrori.
iinciined 10 hold too strictly to tech.
nicaiities in considering legal rights
This is not the first seizure or = rum .
runner that has been made outside OK
the three mile limit"
: .Tha Americans were right" the
r,oweH Leader feels, when, having
the smugsler whers they wanted
him. they made the capture and left
to superiors argument on the ques-
ton of exceeding authority. At any
rate, the Lexington's shots have un-
doubtedly been heard around the
rum running world These men
who were arrested deserve no con-
| eide GRAFTON, the Minneapolis Tribune
Insists, bso3pso q their character