Evening star., 1923-12-03
PACT
SURPRISES CANADA
Right to Search and Seize
Rum Vessels Due for 0p-
position at Outset.
Special Dispatch TO The star.

Special Dispatch, TO Tie star
OTTAWA. Ont, December 3.-Pub-
tication OF the official agenda of the
United States-Canada conference.
which has been discussing behind
closed doors the question of suppress
ing border rum smuggling. has cre-
ated the opinion here that the United
States government is asking a maxi
mum in the hope OF getting a mini
mum.
Whatever the personal disposition
of some OF those directly connected
with the conference, the view pre-
vailing in government circles is that
Canada cannot afford to refuse q good
measure OF cooperation in the sup
preston of the Illicit traffic. There
is little chance OF all that Is asked
being granted. but it is believed that
some OF il will be.
VIII Grant Some Terms.
For example. the proposal for no.
ttfying the United States of clearance
of nQuor-laden vessels, for issuance
of orders that they must go to the
ports given as their destinations and
for refusal to clear liquor cargoes
on vessels under 2o0 tons-theSe may
be entertained. All this can be done
under the present customs act and
without the need of new legislation.
But there will be opposition to the
granting OF any right of search or Of
extradition. The former, it is be-
lieved would lead to all sorts OF
trouble. while the other is consid-
cred impra cticable in view of the
di:similarity of liquor offenses In the
! states and Canada and even in diff
/ ferent provinces Of Canada
y general tightening up OF GUS
TOMS regulations and close check
TO see that officials are not de-
! bauched are likely to be the ultimate
| results Of the conference.
| Cooperation. it is believed. would
be reciprocal benefit TO the two
countries. for. while Canada is being
used extensively as base OF supply
for liquor taken to the states the
same bootleEging industry Is suS-
pected of smuggling silks, small
wares and cigarettes this way.
Cannot lie Finnl.
It is apparent that there can be
no flnality to the present conference.
| If any agreement should be favored
at the formal discussions, 1t would
| be necessary for the government to
| whether it would likely enlist The
! sanction OF parliament. Conceivably
political considerations would loom
! up here, just as the coming of the
! delegation is believed in Canada to
| have been stimulated by attacks or
prohibition supporters upon the Cool
idge administration.
The great bulk OF the liquor that
finds it's way to the states is said to
be Canadian rye, rather than Scotch
and other brands imported and sold
by government agencies. There is
no more restriction, relatively, upon
shipping out cargo Of whisky than
a cargo Of port.
So long as liquor is bought at a
distiilery. the excise duty paid, the
entry made at customs. and clearance
papers granted. the law is satisfied.
Knowledge that the United States Is
a dry country, and officially does not
want liquor imported into its midst.
is no deterrent to clearing vessels.
although the latter have to take the
whole chance of running the reve-
nue. cutter blockade and getting away.
The American delegation is being
received with every courtesy, but it
is dNbtful if any commitments are
being made.