Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-11-08
Administration Officials
laia.e MN Go Through

w,.hinetou. Nov. Hacking otii-
c;d .,lvic.S as to the acton tdheh
Ly IN. i;nperlal conference, admins
,rtio, officials could throw no adol-
topoi LIGHT on the specific terms Oh
IN. proposei treaty with Great Brit
h,n ,,
, Ne.otiat;lns spoken of in LONDON
disnatches AS in progress between
Secretary Hughes and Lord Curzon,
probably refer to the conversations
OF Ambassador Harvey WIN we
British foreign minister before the
ambassador started home. AL tnat
time Mr.. Harvey was able TO anll'li-
fy on instructions from Washington
the position of the United States ana
point out the specific objective Oh the
Washington government.
The original treaty suggestion
made by Secretary Hughes was IN
corporated for the sake OF convent
ence into a draft treaty. Until the
British counter proposals have been
received in text, comment on me
situation is with held here in oftlclal
circles. 1t is obvious, however, mat
administration officials are entifely
satisfied with the situation and WIN
the unofficial versions of the BRUSH
proposals reported in press cable
grams.
The purposes Of the Washington
government were twofold in pro
posing the treaty plan. In the nrst
place, the State Department desired
to place in the hands Of American
enforcement officials a new weapon
rum smuggling along the American
coast line.
At the same time it was denied
that friction and embarrassment to
foreign ships due to statutory re-
strictions on the carrying of sealed
stores on such ships in American
waters, should be done away with
Without delay that would have re-
suited from an attempt to OBTAIN
amendment of the Volstead act from
congress.
In proposing that IL mile right
OF search for contrabrand liquor be
granted, the Washington government
liked upon that distance off shore as
Inc minimum necessary to make the
work of prohibition Increment pat
rol craft effective. A the British plan
understood here, the flexible rule
which the British would substitute
l9r a rigid IL mile limit would per-
Nu patrol craft to operate at an even
sreater distance off shore, thereby
improving the chances for curbing
Nquor smuggling.
mat such a proposal is acceptable
substitute to government Off
s'dis here is not to be doubted. Nor
mere reason to expect that the
uunited States government will be
'usssinciined to reaffirm the three mile
= snore territorial limitation which
%e British desre to be set out in the
lay. Secretary Hughes made 1t
IAN 10 the British government from
nc start that the Washington propo-
al was not intended to infringe on
nc general rule Of international law
o mu practice which sets up the three
nile principle.
approving the revised project for
Gonea'y agreement to cover both the
s daor smuggling cases and the ques-
NIL vn VI ship liquor stores under seal.
,'oapiy means that the treaty will
,sna inshape for presentation to the
na" a.e when that body convenes in
1nSe ufaiting Of treasury regulations
bs he ship liquor provisions Of
ueaty will probably proceed in
INIT, t t or ratification of the instru-
Pbs tne senate ratifies the treaty.
arr sreement permitting American
n tba craft wider range of activity
10. me Atlantic coast, however, could
,atm n,aue effective at once upon sig
ors,. OF the treaty if the British
aurs sn oiiice desired to take that
IAN No amendment of existing
herr IN either country is involved and
Anst. Is no legal requirement for
ratliication Of that provision.