The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-01-29
IN a S
Oasis for
America m
Over 100000 Gallons of
Liquor Struggled Into L. :
Since Prohibition Law
Went Into Effect.
British Ships Garry Rul.

Washington. Jan. 2S.-Sensationa
disclosures OF the vast extent of or
ganized smuggling of liquor from the
Bahama islands into the United
States were made by Representative
John Jacob Rogers, republican. Mas
sachusetts, ranking member of the
house committee on foreign affairs.
On the authority of the State de-
partment Mr.. Rogers stated that q.
100000 gallons of liquor have been
smuggled from tho Bahamas since the
United States went dry. A large fleet
of British ships is engaged in ths
illicit traffic, the island goverpment
and merchants are rolling in new.
found wealth. one of the rum.run.
ming magnates is an Official of the govs
ernment and the profitable business
is conducted by the British officials,
The congressman confessed he had
been astounded by the magnitude and
boldness of the contraband traffic,
with which the British government
appears no more disposed to inter-
fere than with the blockade running
from the same base during the civil
war.
Traffic at Height.
II have been advised by the De-
partment of State that 2.OOo,O 900 gall
lens of liquor have been smuggled in.
to the United States from the Ba-
hama islands since the prohibition ach
became effective" said Mr.. Rogers.
More than half of the Illicit liquor
has been brought to this country dur
ing the past year. The traffic is
at its height today.
1.-The government of the islands Is
deriving immense revenue from the
traffic. In 1922 the amount WAS ST.
100000. With some OF the members
OF its executive council and the mer-
chants of Nassau enriching themselves
thereby, there Is absolutely no pub
lie sentiment against the practice.
From 1917 to 1919. inclusive, when
no liquors were reshipped from the
islands, the average annual imports
were $4,000 American proof gallons
This, it may be said, is the extent
OF the consumption on the islands.
What happened in 1920? Even
at that time the imports were 445,-
600 gallons. In the following year, the
total increased to 5sS, 900 gallons. fThe
exact figures for the year just ended,
have not been tabulated, but for the
first nine months of 1922 the imports
amounted to 100000 gallons, and the
quarter ending December will bring
the total for the 12month period TO
100000 gallons.
Oasis Of America.
The Bahamas certainly are the
oasis of dry America. To the last
quart, 1 am advised, the liquors arc
shipped to the United States. All
told, 100000 gallons have found
their way into the coutry. all the
way from Norfolk, Philadelphia and
New York, as far as Boston. When the
smuggling first sbegan, some vessels
would lie off the port of Nassau.
would be secretly loaded and would
depart without papers. Other ships
would be cleared i'll ballast, but sub
sequent to clearing would be loaded
with liqour.
The practice is different now that
the Illicit trade has been fully or.
ganized. The vessels, nearly all fly-
ing the British flag, will clear for the
french port of st. Pierre, Miquelon.
or for Tampico. Mex.
As a matter Of fact, the shins never
proceed TO the ports for which they
nave cleared, but lie off the American
coast and 'are met by prearrangement
outside the three mile limit by small
but speedy American motor boats.
MY information is that serious CO.
operation in checking the traffic can.
not be obtained from the Babaman
government. The Bahamas are a self.
governing colony, with an elected
legislature. Its executive council is
composed of officials and local resi-.
dents OF whom one has made great
profits out of whisky running, The
merchants who have enriched them.
selves are held in increasing respect
and there is no public sentiment
against the practice. The officials are
British. who have been promoted
from colony to colony. / am assured
that they are absolutely honest, but
without incentive to take a strong
stand on moral grounds in any matter
which would materially injure the col.
ony."