Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-27
Question of Diplomatic Pro-
test May Hinge on High
Seas Issue.
QUALIFICATION OF RUM
TREATY MAY RESULT
Legation and Embassy to Cooper
ate With Information Trans
mitted by Consul.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
Official reports Of the British con-
sulate at New Orleans on the sinking
last Friday Of the Canadian rum rum
ner I'm Alone were received today by
the Canadian legation.
1t was said at the legation that the
only point in the reports which has
been studied so far is that of the dis
tance of the I'm Alone from shore
when first hailed by the Coast Guard
cutter Wollcott.
Diplomatic circles said today that
there is possibility that the case may
not reach the point of diplomatic rep
resentations by the Canadian govern
ment since, if it is established that
the I'm Alone was inside American
jurisdiction, the case probably would
not be pressed. In case the ship was
proven to be outside American terri
torial waters, 1t was believed probable
that the State Department would ac-
knowledge the Canadian position and
take steps to have the matter settled
The Canadian legation will transmit
to the British embassy any informa-
ton in today'S reports which may pe
desired or thought necessary by the
British representatives.
May Clarity Differences.
Differences between the United States
and Great Britain over Interpretation
of the 1924 rum-smuggling treaty are
likely to be clarified as one outcome of
the sinking of the Canadian schooner
I'm Alone, 200 miles off the Louisiana
Coast, Friday by an American patrol
boat. In the opinion of State Depart
ment officials, the case involves techni-
calities which call for the skill of in
ternational lawyers.
Only few changes. are needed to
make the rlm-snuggling treaty more
effective. as Rear Admiral F. c. Billiard,
commandant of the Coast Guard. views
the situation. These. he suggests, might
include an agreement under which the
Government would require ships using
their ports to furnish proof that their
designated in their clearing papers.
Inquiry on Restrictions.
American benefits under the treaty
would be nullified, he believes. If the
right to pursue suspected vessels were
restricted to one hours sailing distance
from the coast or the implied right to
use force in exercising the search and
seizure privilege were restrained.
That is one of three points which
diplomatic circles here view as possible
bases for a Canadian protest, if it de-
cides to take such action. International
law recognizes only 3 miles as the linz
it OF territorial waters and sanctions
hot pursuit" only when begun within
that area, it is explained, whereas the
chase of the I'm Alone began, accord
ing to Coast Guard estimates, not less
than 8 miles from shore.
When pursuit begins within one
hours sailing distance of the coast the
American Interpretation of the rum
smuggling treaty holds that continuing
the chase beyond such limits is per-
missible, but this viewpoint has never
been definitely accepted by the British.
The other two points have to do with
the nature of the pursuit of the I'm
Alone in which the patrol boat that
began the chase was joined by another
and continued for the unusual distance
whether the sinking of the schooner by
the latter, with the loss of a seaman's
life by drowning, can be regarded as
justified by the circumstances.
Affair of United States and Canada.
Meanwhile the sinking of the I'm
Alone has resolved itself into a ques-
ton for settlement between the Cana
dian and American governments.
Sir Esme Howard, the British AM
bassador, who had made the original in
| quiries at the State Department con-
corning the sinking of the vessel, in
formed the American Government yes
terday that the ship was of Canadian
registry and that replies to his inquiries
should be addressed to Canadian Min
| lister Vincent Massey. All discussions in
the case will henceforth be conducted
between the Canadian and American
| governments.
| The Canadian Minister called at the
| department and inquired regarding the
| incident. State Department officials
| studying the reports of the Coast Guard
and pending the outcome of the pre-
liminary hearing of the crew of the I'm
Alone at New Orleans, were unable to
give the Minister any definite informa-
| ton.
Secretary of State Kellogg said today
that the State Department is awaiting
a full investigation and full reports o.
the incident. Preliminary reports from
New Orleans are now being studied bl
the department. Secretary Kellogg j:
not actively dealing with the case, bu
will leave it to Secretary of State Stim.
son. who will take office Thursday night
The reports so far received by thu
| den9rtmpnt do not ShoW whether this
I'm Alone was within the treaty stipu
lation of one hours run from shor,
when hailed by the Wollcott, the Sec
retary said. He remarked that this il
an important point. 1t is understood
that the British consulates reports sub
mitted to the Canadian legation ar.
also obscure on the question of the dis
Continued on Page 2, Column ID
Vo,4L D.. Eo11x,.