BRITISH SMUGGLER

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 10854, 25 March 1929, Page 5

BRITISH SMUGGLER

RUM-RUNNER SUNK OFF AMERICAN COAST.

WAS SHE.OUTSIDE 12-MILK

LIMIT ?

ONE OF CREW KILLED OR

DROWNED

United Press Assn by El. Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Assn: —(United Service)

(Received March 1 24', 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 22

News front 'New- Orleans states that the British auxiliary ■' schooni “I’m Alone” suspected of being a contraband" carrier, was sunk off tho coast in a battle . with a coastguard craft. One, of the crew was killed 01 drowned. NEW YORK, March 23. ■

■ The New. York Times’ .Washington correspondent says : _ “Serious complications with. Britain are a strong probability as a result of the sinking of tho British schooner “I’m Alone” Sir ,E. Howard called on the State Department to-day and told tho Assistant Secretary, Mr Castle, that, if tho facts wore as reported in the press, it might prove a. serious ease. The sinking is without precedent in a long record of efforts of the coast guard! to enforce the prohibition laws The outcome of Mho ease will ho influenced by the fact as to whether the vessel was within the twelve mile territorial limit. Coastguard officials express certainty that tho ship was within territorial waters Other official circles frankly express doubt upon this point. Admiral Bullard, in charge of tho Coast Guard, declared -that- tlm vessel was sunk after she had put up resistance and contends that the guardsmen were well within the-ii rights in sinking the shin. 'I hey would he backed to the limit by his office. Adrqiml Bullard said the vessel was a “notorious rum runner.”

It is recognised .here that the incident may raise, a question in London. of continuing the ship liquot treaty. Official details' concerning the incident are lacking. A press report to-day declared that the '“l’m Alone’s.” crew were being brought hack in irons.

BRITISH AMBASSADOR. WANTS FURTHER INFORM ATTON STATEMENT BY COASTGUARD COMMANDER SHIP WAS NOTORIOUS SMUGGLER United Press Assn by El. Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Assn.—United Service) (Received March' 2-1, midnight.) WASHINGTON. March 2-1, Sir Esme Howard called up the State Department officials on Saturday in connection with the sinking of the British auxiliary .schooner “I’m Alone” of Bel/.e, British Honduras, as a suspected rum-runner. The Ambassador has not made representations to the State Department, hut lias intimated that it the fresh reports are true the matter might ho seriously considered. Ihe Department has asked the coastguard for further information. Meanwhile Admiral l' 1 . C. Bullard, Commander, of the Coastguard, declared that the ship was a notorious smuggler, with a record of nearly five years. The Admiral said that tlm 1.111 Alone” cleared from Belize with a cargo of liquor ostensibly destined for Bermudas. On March 21 the cutter ’Walcott -saw her eight miles off the Louisiana coast and it was estimated bv the coastguard that she was 500 ‘miles off lwr proper course. A. pursuit began, the Walcott radioing for . assistance, as the “i m Alone” was fast. Washington* headquarters ordered tho coastguard at Mobile to send every available* mil ter: The Dextex joined in tho hunt and hailed the (“I’m Alone”. When site refused to stop she sank lmr. The Admiral said the failure of the skipper to stop was am entire justification for tho action, taken. At New Orleans the Federal authorities are waiting the arrival of. the Dexter to start investigations into tlie sinking of the “I’m Alone” in one of the deepest spots in tho Gulf of Mexicos, two hundred miles from Louisiana coast and 15U miles from Yucatan. United States Attorney Edward Talbot, expressed the opinion that a stiff resistance by the crew indicated the presence of a cargo ol aliens wlio would probably have drowned. The coastguard officers did not credit tills, saying that, probably, she was carrying only liquor and noreoties. If the chase started within tho twelve mile limit, officials said tlio guardsmen were within thei v rights. Tho cutter is bearing the crew m irons and the body of a negro seaman, who was drowned in the rush for the lifeboats.