PROHIBITION IN AMERICA.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17750, 30 April 1923, Page 9

PROHIBITION IN AMERICA.

SUPPRESSION OF LIQUOR SMUGGLING. PRESIDENT HARDING'S PLAN. (IT CABLE—PIUSS ■ ASSOCIATION—COPXBIOST.) (AUSTBAUAN AND H.Z. CABLB ASSOCIATION.) (Received April 29th, 6.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 38. Tho "Whit© House spokesman announced that President Harding had completed a plan providing for the full use of the naval and military forces to suppress liquor smuggling. The President had requested the Department of Justice to rule -whether such forces might be used to enforce civil prohibition. If the ruling is favourable, a fleet of fast submarine chasers will immediately be assigned to patrol the coast, with military guards on shore to prevent the landing of illicit cargoes. [A previous message said that the Cabinet, after a long session concerning Atlantic coast liquor smuggling, decided that immediate drastic action was needed td end what Mr Harding regards as a, very grave problem. The continual presence off the New Jersey coast of numerous liquor-laden craft ■under foreign registry is rendering the enforcement of prohibition almost impossible. Whilst it 18 announced that the Government has no definite plan formulated, it is believed two lines of action are being studied, namely, either to make a strong request for the cooperation of other Governments) to suppress smuggling, or to use the Navy Co disperse the rum-running vessels. However, there is Considerable opposition to the latter course, many officials /believing it would result in international complications unfavourable to the United States. The State Department has disclosed that Great Britain declined to join the United States in a mutual search „for ships on the high seas, but expressed',a desire to cooperate in other ways in curbing the illicit liquor traffic,, negotiations for which are now under way.] BRITISH SUPPORT ASKED. WASHINGTON, April 27. The United States has again Asked Britain's diplomatic support in the suppression of smuggling, suggesting that the United States be informed whenever large cargoes of liquor leave Britain, while the United States would reciprocally apprise Britain of American exports that might illegally be used in British territory. BOOTLEGGERS' CON- -I SPIRACY. CITY OFFICIALS SENTENCED, (Received April 29th. 11.65 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 29; . At Indianapolis 52 convicted persons were sentenced to terms of imprisonment varying from one day to eighteen months, .which the Mayor re- l ceived. Fines as high as 2000 dollars wore also imposed. . [A message on January 23rd safd: At Gary, Indiana, 60 persons have been arrested, including the Mayor of the city, the sheriff, the prosecuting attorney, and -justices of as a result of indictments by a. Federal Grand Jury arising from investigation . of an alleged bootleg ring, which it is . said, made 1,000,000d01. out of illicit liquor traffic in the steel centre. A later message said fifty-five of sixty-two residents of Gary were found guilty of conspiracy to violate the prohibition amendment. Among those convicted were the City'B Mayor, the Judge, the Sheriff, and numerous lawyers and ' police officials.]