Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1923-05-10
UNITED STATES NEW LAW AS
SET OUT BY COURT EFFEC-
TIVE JUNE 10

The American government, taking
a positive position with regard to the
transportation of liquor into terri.
torial waters of the United States
decreed today that the rigorous in.
depreciation of the law given by the
Supreme court shall become effective
June 10.
Secretary Hughes was requested
by the treasury to communicate
notice of the decision to all foreign
governments. The treasury which
has jurisdiction over all prohibition
enforcement suggested that the stat
ed department advise foreign govern
ments' ships entering the three-mile
limit will be subject to the new ap-
plication of the law without exemp-
tion and that no further pronounce
ment may be expected from this
government regarding the effective
date.
While the position adopted by the
administration appeared to leave no
road for a backward step, it seemed
certain that representations will
I come from some foreign governments
no may regard the courts inter-
probation of che law as an infringe
ment of their rights. Secretary
Hughes was said to regard the po-
sition of the American government
as sound and with plenty of pre-
cedents establishing the rights which
it has assumed. There were, on the
other hand, some government Off
cials who believe the United States
could not fail in the interest of inter-
national commerce to take notice of
protests by foreign governments if
any are made.
Washington embassies and lega-
tions of practically all of the mar
ime powers of the world already
have advised their home governments
of the courts decision. 1t was in
dicated today that the attitude taken
by the United States government as
to enforcement would be made known
to all foreign nations probably be-
fore the state departments communi-
cations are received abroad: S,'>A'
The state department officials are
of the opinion that the decision has
in no way infringed upon treaties
with foreign governments, it is not
certain that foreign governments will
accept the Interpretation Of the law.
Some diplomatic quarters already
have let it be known that limitation
disposed by decision are in direct
conflict with treaty provisions par
tirularly in trade agreements guar
ant eeing equal of treatment to ship
ping It is expected in diplomatic
circles tha there will be lengthy ne
gotiations between the United States
on i:.l phase of the question.
Treasury officials are acquainted
with the extreme delicacy of the sit
uation, it was asserted, and the in
ference was given that unusual care
will be used in drafting the regula-
tions carrying the court decision
mentioned that consideration must be
given the "rights Of foreign govern
ments under international laws and
treaties as we'll as the rights of our
citizens"
The treasury statement on the
question although brief declared
without equivocation the decision
holds that it is unlawful for any YES
sci, either foreign or domestic, to
bring within the territorial waters of
the United States any liquor what
soever for beverage purposes"
The treasury's determination was
reached at conference in which half
a dozen officials participated includ-
ing attorneys from the prohibition
unit.
Meanwhile Secretary Mellon and
Hughes with their chief advisers
were engaged in framing the Ameri-
can policies, coast guard headquar-
ters moved to force the Atlantic rum
fleet out of business. Concentration
of revenue cutters off the New Jersey
coast was ordered and to keep the
rum fleet under eye "a hours a day.
Decision to max ethe effective date
of the three-mile ban June 10, follow
ed announcement by Assistant
Secretary Moss, Of the treasury, ear
lier in the day, that the new appli-
cation of the law would be put into
operation June Is. The final de-