The Bismarck tribune., 1929-03-26
SECRETARY MELLON
DEFENDS SINKING OF
rum running CRAFT
Coast Guard Cutter Within It's
Rights in Firing on Ship
After 'Heave To- Order
0BEyED INTERNATIONAL LAW
British and Canadian Govern
ments Await DoubtfuIly Re-
port Of Representatives

Washington. March 26.-(AP)-Thc
treasury department is standing
squarely back Of its coast guard serv-
ice In defense Of the sinking OF the
British schooner I'm Alone In the
Gulf Of Mexico Friday by the patrol
boat Dexter.
Forwarding the first official report
Of the incident to the state depart
ment. Secretary Mellon has taken the
position that the Dexter was within
It; rights In firing upon the alleged
rum runner when its master refused
to heave to after q continuous pur-
suit" about 200 miles into the gulf
from . point within four leagues Of
our coast"
Meanwhile. 1t is becoming increas-
ingly doubtful that the same view will
be taken by the British and Canadian
governments. Their diplomatic rep
resentattves here are awaiting an op-
portunfty to examine the official re-
ports from the coast guard and the
British consulate at New Orleans.
where the crew Of the sunken vessel
was landed. II these confirm current
newspaper accounts Of the sinking, in
which one British seaman was
drowned. they arc expected to take q
serious view OF the incident and Wig
orous protests are not at all unlikely.
Made False Clearances
During the last five years. Mr..
Mellon said In . memorandum on
the coast guards position, the, vessel
has made q very large number Of
false clcarances from British ports. !"
Before 1t was sunk by the Dexter, he
declared, the master Of the I'm
AlUne had piStU1 ana ina waved iC
In . threatening manner"
Prom the time when this notorious
rum smuegler defied q vessel of the
United States within four leagues
approximately l3 miles) Of our
coast" the memorandum continued,
there was continuous pursuit, pre-
ctsely In accord with this we'll known
doctrine Of international law, until !
the vessel was overtaken and again
defied the authority of the United
States. Under. this doctrine the
American ship North was condemned !
~ the British Columbia admiralty |
court In 1925, the decision being up
held by the supreme court Of Can
lda."
Some legal experts here, however,
10 not regard the two cases as anal
'gouS, pointing out that the chase
lfter the North was begun within
hree miles OF the Canadian coast,
While coast guard estimates OF the
distance Of the I'm Alone from the
louisiana coast at eight to nearly II
niles when first overhauled by the
Nalcott.
Recognise Pursuit Doctrine
The British and Canadian view Of 1
he doctrine Of pursuit ut sea mem
Toned By Mr.. Mellon is that 1t must
'egin within the internationally rec
gnised three-mile limit off the coast.
nd Is not permissible outside that
init within the zone Of "one hours
ail' In which. under treaty with the
United States, search and seizure Of
vessels Is allowed.
The incident has aroused consider
bic interest among members Of con-
ress. Chairman Porter Of the house
oreign affairs committee. who headed
40 American delegation to the
eague OF Nations opium conference.
nnounced that he had ordered 4 spe-
lal investigator to New Orleans to
scertain whether the I'm Alcne's
lrgo included . narcotics shipment,
hich has been denied by its master.
Representative Laguardia, Republi-
IN, New York, however. wanted to
now II the nation were prepared to
, TO war on account Of prohibition"
nd recalled that sea search and
mixing OF vessels led to the war Of /
III With England: it can do 50 ,
rain"