Evening star., 1923-04-28
j. s. TO MASS SHIPS
ORL|QUOR WAR
Awaits Decision of Depart.
ment of Justice on Use of
Navy Vessels.

The rum-chasing armada of the
United States, co-ordinated fleet of
American vessels from prohibition,
| customs and coast guard. headed by
the Navy, probably with an admiral
from the Navy in supreme command.
soon will be riding the Atlantic three
| mile limit to end rum running
Provoked into stern measures, the
government has determined to throw
all force necessary against the SNUG
glers, has worked out a complete plan
Of procedure for using the Navy, and
| now awaits a confidently expected de-
cision from the Department Of Justice
confirming the authority of the Presi-
dent to declare an "emergency" and
loose the American sea dogs of war.
How many vessels will be considered
necessary and how they shall be or
ganized, equipped and commanded are
problems believed already given the
naval officials. although detailed plans
are kept secret.
Consider Coordination.
1t was considered certain, however.
that some plan for the coordination of
the rum chasing fleet must be under
way. inasmuch as the anti-smuggling
outfit now operating in Atlantic waters
is actually under several separate COM
mands.
Should the navy be added, which to-
day was considered virtually assured,
there would be presented the problem
of co-ordinating the rum chasing ar
mada with the possibility that the Navy
| might be chosen to bear the colors of
the flagship.
The battle-ground is expected to be
| potentially all around the American
! coast, but particularly the waters off
New York. New Jersey and Florida.
} Sees Rum Fleet.
Activities of the enemy off New
| York were believed to have been re-
ported to Prohibition Commissioner
Haynes yesterday by Palmer Garfield
prohibition director for New York
who had made official trips of in
| spection to the rum fleet, and had
| been convinced with his own eyes that
| the fleet meant business. Shortly
after his first inspection he estimat-
! ed the smugglers capable of landing
| 100000 cases annually.
Announcement came from the White
| House last night that the President
; had asked for a decision from the De-
| partment of Justice on the technical
| questions involved. including the
right of the President to declare an
! emergency, and the contingent
! questions of using the Navy for law
| enforcement, and appropriations for
| the Navy, to enforce the NolStead act
One thing has been determined al
| ready, it was learned. the dry fleet
will operate inside the three-mile
| limit.
Only Navy Aid Asked.
! Some confusion existed in certain
quarters today as to whether the gov
ernment intended to throw the Army.
! Navy, marines and, perhaps, aviation
| into the i-smuggling war. The
prohibition unit it was learned, has
! asked only for the Navy.
/ Another powerful agency which
, may be thrown against the enemy Is
/ the Navy intelligence service, trained
I in discovering the actions of any
! enemy. Officials feel that agency
would be of invaluable aid.
| Another blow was struck yesterday
J by the government against smuggling
, in representations from the State De-
J partment to Great Britain, asking
cO-operation in the enforcement of
American law. Specifically, the Brit
ish were asked to help prevent ships
! flying the British flag from engaging
| in liquor traffic. Another point raised
was the possibility Of reciprocal
! arrangement for exchange Of infor-
! nation, so that sailings of vessels
l carrying liquor cargoes would be re-
!, ported.
Nine Ships In Rum Fleet.
| Latest reports from visitors to the
rum fleet indicate there were nine yes
sells riding at anchor on rum row. Some
! officials believed today that the an
nouncement from the White House
! that the power Of the Navy may be
thrown against them. may scare many
J into precipate flight.
At the Justice Department the
/; Presidents request for an opinion on
use of naval vessels against rum
runners was referred to Assistant At
| torney General Willebrandt. in charge
of legal aspects of prohibition en-
forcement. Mrs. Willebrandt at once
+, began an examination of the legal
| technicalities involved. She indicated
! considerable time would be required
before her opinion could be formu-
lated.