Evening star., 1923-05-03
j. s. STANDS FIRM
FOR DRY SHIPS, BUT
FACES HARD TASK
Ban to Be Enforced. Though
CompIications Will Be
Avoided, if Possible.
WILL BOARD SUSPECTS
AFTER JUNE 10 DEADLINE
Penalty for Foreign Ships Not 1n-
volving Seizure Sought-World
to Be Warned.

Court ship liquor ban up to the tnree-
mile limit on and after June 10, the
American government plans to pro-
ceed with discretion against foreign
vessels, to avoid as far as possible
under the law embarrassing interna-
tional complications.
With representations threatened
from maritime powers requiring
liquor on board their ships. the Treas
ury today was proceeding with the
difficult task of drafting regulations
strictly to enforce the ship liquor
ban, provide some penalty for viola
tion by foreign vessels. and yet avoid
the necessity of actual seizure of
such ships except in cases of fragrant
violation.
VIII Board suspects.
American customs officials would
not hesitate, under the new regula-
tons, 1t was learned at the Treasury.
10 board a foreign vessel within the
three-m mile limit, upon suspicion or
Information that she carried Illicit
liquor. The liquor would. of course.
under the regulations. be seized. and
II the case proved sufficiently serious
violation of the new American inter
preta tion of the dry laws. some addi-
tional penalty would be imposed.
What that penalty will be is the
problem over which legal experts OF
the Treasury today were wrestling. !,
Medicinal liquor for the crew and
passengers will be allowed under the
new regulations. it was learned.
while at the same time IL was plainly
intirnated that diplomatic represent
atives of foreign powers would not
be moleSted in their efforts TO brlng
in beverages for their own use.
Allow for Medicinal Needs.
No legal restrictions have been
discovered either in the new court
decision or in the Volstead act. or
In promulgated regulations. which
will now embarrass the displomattc
customs of the past.
Danger Of foreign ships trans
ferring oversize liquor stocks into
medicinal stores would be success
fully prevented by the strict regu-
I.tiors concerning medicinal stores.
vision will be made for actual
medicinal need.
Industrial alcohol will be dealt
with under the new regulations IN
such manner as not to restrict the
legitimate supply, and yet to rig
o-ously safeguard against the possi-
biIity of its being diverted to bev-
erage purposes.
France Leads Fight.
OF the foreign powers expected to
continue objection to the three mile
dry ring around this country. France,
Italy and Spain led the list. while
from quarters close to the British II
has been intimated that they would
not lodge formal objection, inasmuch
as the British have no law providing
for liquor aboard.
Foreign shipping interests. how
ever. have continued their vigorous
objection to the ruling, some even
going so far as to talk of retaliation.
haps tacetiously. 1T was understood.
that a movement might be- starte2 TO
prohibit entry by American vessels
within the three-mIle limit of the
foreign power without liquur aboard.
Sugges tions of retaliation, however,
have not been seriously considered
by Washington officials. who have
set their hands to d thorough en-
forcement of the law.
June 10 Is Set.
The effective date of new regula-
lions was set finally at June 10. fol-
lowing conferences yesterday between
various government heads. 1t was
first said at the Treasury that the
date had been set for June Is. but it
was officially announced later to be
June 10. This is practically n COM
promise between the June l date sug-
Eested in Attorney General Daugh-
erty's recent statement and the June
is at first considered by the Treas
ury.
Secretary MELONS official an
nouncement of the effective date en-
phasized the care with which this
government will proceed
TT Will readily be understood" said
Secretary Mellon, that the prepara-
tion of regulations under this deci-
zion. affecting as 1t does, the rights
Of foreign governments under inter-
national laws and treaties, as well as
the rights of our own citizens will
require more than ordinary care.
Notices to BE Given.
All vessels sailing for American
ports he continued. due to arrive
after June 10, will be subject to en-
forcement of the regulations now
being prepared. and thereafter all
foreign and domestic shipping will,
without further notice, be subject to
the provisions of such regulations.
The foregoing information is to-
State with the request that it be
given widest publicity through diplo
matte and consular channels"
ONLY BRIEF FIGHT SEEN.