Evening star., 1923-04-21
NAVY WAR ON RUM
RUNNERS LIKELY
Only Practical Course, Presi.
dent Informed, After Quiet
Negotiations.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

The Navy Of the United States may
be ordered into action soon against
the rum runners on all coasts. Pres
ident Harding has been advised that
the only practicable course to stop
bootlegging on the seas is to have
the waters inside the three mile limit
patrolled carefully by all the small
craft Of the American Navy.
For the time being no effort will
be made to tackle vessels flying for
eign flags and lying outside the three
mile limit but under recent court
decision the prohibition authorities
feel justified In pursuing any vessel
flying any flag which comes within
the three-mile limit and then makes
dash for outside waters.
Although the higher courts have not
yet passed finally on the issue. pro-
hibition officials point to the prece-
dent established in Scandinavian
countries where twelve-mile limit
Is observed by vessels chasing those
engaged in smuggling. They have no
doubt that the twelve-mile limit will
be upheld by the highest American
courts and that II will have dis
foreign governments.
Quiet Negotiations.
The prohibition enforcement con-
tingent has deferred to the wishes Of
the Department of State in recent
months refraining from any act which
might cause international complica-
tions by seizure of vessels outside the
. J. I;yraif nd ho n
policy has been to give Secretary
Hughes an opportunity to negotiate
quietly with foreign governments so
that their corporation in preventing
their own vessels from conspiring to
violate American laws might be Sc
cured
There Is a feeling in oficial circles
hero that the British government has
lately been disposed to view with
much more favor the overtures OF
the United States government for a
botter understanding with respect to
the suppression of rum running. The
principle involved Is an important
one. for If Great Britain were in
different to a conspiracy to violate
American laws there might be a
reciprocal Indifference exhibited IN
some future cases involving the
serious import to the British empire.
Debates in the British parliament
within the last few weeks have in
dicated a belief on the part Of some
lean sentiment against Great Britain
might be built up IL rum-running
vas countenanced by the British
through improper clearance papers
and similar devices. Whether this
Is a correct view OF American senti.
ment is beside the subject. for If
President Harding insists to the
British government that better CO.
operation be practiced he is very
likely to have his way.
Question 81 Earnestness.
What the British want really is to
see whether the United States govern
ment Is itself in earnest The ordering
of tho Navy into the patrol business is
one step which is being urged by pro-
hibitionists, because they believe 1t will
be evidence OF the good faith of the
federal government.
Presid ent Harding has let It be known
In the last twenty-four hours that the
cabinet has discussed every phase of
rum running, and that the government
20 ready for important action. soon TO
be announced. Before the step IL taken.
however. foreign governments will have
they may caution their nationals against
engaging In conspiracies to violate
American laws.
According to the prohibition enforce
mont ONCE hero rum running has de-
cltned materially In the last few months.
chiefly because Of the disputes among
the rum runners themselves, the growth
Of piracy among the adventurous skip
pers Of rum-running vessels and the
huge cost Of arranging for the ship
ment ashore Of liquor from the larger
to the smaller vessels.
wireless Communication.
The wireless is the principle
medium Of communication. but the
government Is exercising not only a
close watch on the radio apparatus of
the rum-runners. but is keeping an
eye on the small craft. 1t is ad-
mitted, however, that the rum-run-
ners have had much the better Of
1t in evad1ng the government patrol,
especially In Florida waters, but tho
use Of the Navy 10 expected to change
that aspect materially. All the sub
marine chasers and light craft which
have been idle since the war may
be manned by the Navy and sent on
the enforcement patrol. The admin
istra4fon has been hard pushed by the
'drys" to take this drastic step. and
the drift today Is toward complete
ana effective use Of the sea forces
Of tho government to uphold the
volstead act. A formal announce
ment OF plans may be expected any
day.
= Copyright, fs23) So