FRANCE AND PROHIBITION RULING

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 107, 7 May 1923, Page 7

FRANCE AND PROHIBITION RULING

PROTEST TO UNITED STATES

THE LIQUOE-ON-BHTPS ISSUE.

(UKITBD FBES3 ASSOCIATION.—COPTRKJHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN • KBW ZEALAKB CAILE ASSOCIAIMN.)

PARIS. sth May.

The Government. ha* sent a- strong protest to Washington against the ruling in regard to liquor on shipe, which it declares is contrary to international law. . ■

WASHINGTON, sth May.

France's protest over the Supreme Court's action that foreign ships cannot Bring liquor within the three-mile limit "has keenly embarrassed the Administration and-brought forth, a practical admission that the Government does not expect strictly to -enforce the law against foreign, vessels. It is hinted. that.-the State hoped to avoid, international friction by tactfully ignoring- infringements, but M. Pom-; care's action in protesting without wait-, ing for an overt act unexpectedly, upset the plan of President Harding and_Mr. C. E. Hughes, Secretary of State.

A White. House spokesman has. intimated that President Harding recog-nises-that, the law must beapnlied to foreign ships with consideration for other nations, and is confident that no diplo-, mritic complications will arise. This is construed to fean that the United States'will avoid them. '"' ' .

At {he end of laet month, the United States' Supreme Court upheld the rul-. me of the Attorney-General,'Mr. H. M. Daughertv. that under the Prohibition Amendmeat fdreitrn ships cannot bring liquor within the three-mile limit even as sea stores.' This upset the in.iuctions granted by the Federal Court restraining Prohibition.officials, of the Treasury Department from seizing liquor aboard : tl}ese. ships... . ■