Evening star., 1924-03-15
The War Against "Rum Row"

=
Ratification by the Senate Of the
treaty with Great Britain whereby
this country gains the right to halt
ships within an hours sailing from
the American shore in search for
liquors carried contrary to law puts
this government in a position to en-
force the prohibition law far more ef-
1ectively than heretofore. At the same
time the House votes a deficiency ap-
preparation of s13,s5o,0o0 to enable
the coast guard to conduct a vigorous
campaign against the rum-runners
operating off the coast. And while
these votes were being taken in Con-
gress a large steamship, plying regu-
hrly on the transatlantic route after
running between New York and Ber-
muda, was seized in New York harbor
and found to contain a large consign-
= ment of liquor. The ship has been
Mbeled and released for sailing under
a'bond Of s1,000.0Oo.
These proceedings attest to the de-
Termination Of the government to ap-
importation Of liquors. The British
treaty will greatly lengthen the arm
Of the enforcement organization. Here
tofore the rum ships have approached
20 close to the shore that they could
with almost complete immunity trans
port their cargoes of contraband to
small boats, on which they were run
into port. At the. three-mile limit
they were beyond the range of seizure,
although it was assured that they car
rted goods for smuggling.
With the limit extended to the dis
tance covered by an hours steaming it
will be impossible for ships of British
registry at least, which have been
heretofore the chief offenders, to hover
directly off the coast and defy the
law. 1t has been estimated that at
the range Of an hours run the dis
lance would be increased to fully
twelve miles, which lessons the chance
Of safe anchorage and increases the
chance for capture of the small boats
engaged in transshipment.
Transfer of registry may be at
tempted with this treaty in force. but
such transfers would be subject to
question. 4 ship changing her flag
Immediately after the ratification of
the British treaty would be obviously
seeking to dodge the law Such a new
registry would be likely to be declared
invalid. Other nations may be in
duced to follow the example set by
Great Britain. Refusal to cooperate
with the United States by thus extend
ing the range Of Incorporation would
put any government in the position Of
seeking to break down the statutes of
the United States. which would be far
from a friendly course to pursue.
There remains the question of
the clause in the British treaty which
permits ships entering the ports of the
United States to carry stores of liquor,
under seal, for consumption on return
voyages The Supreme Court has
decided that under the statutes this
10 not permissible. 1t Is believed, how
ever, that II a test case reaches that
court again II may hold that the nego-
tiation Of the treaty. with that clause
included. is designed to effect law-en.
forcement, and that denial Of the
clause tends to weaken If not to
nullify the treaty. Hence decision
that the treaty, thus framed. is de-
signed to effect law-enforcement, and
hot Iaw-evasion. has been confidently
predicted.
-, The scandalous spectacle Of a long
row Of anchored ships lying off the
American coast with contraband goods.
awaiting chances to slip their cargoes
= into. this country, must be ended.
j, The treaty. the enlarged appropriation
for enforcement and the seizure of 4
valuable liner all make for the main
:, senance of the law.