CREW OF SUNKEN RUM RUNNER BROUGHT ASHORE IN IRONS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6869, 26 March 1929, Page 7

CREW OF SUNKEN RUM RUNNER BROUGHT ASHORE IN IRONS

Charge Laid Against Captain “Most Cowardly Attack Since Submarine Warfare ” Australian Press Assn.—United Service. Received Monday, 7 p.m. NEW YORK, March 24. News from New Orleans states that the crew of the British schooner I’m Alone, which was sunk by a United States coastguard boat by gun-fire 200 miles off the Lousiana shore, were land there on Sunday, manacled and under heavy guard. They were held in custody and were questioned by United States officials and British Vice-Consul. Nothing lias been made public. Captain Defied Boarders * INTERFERENCE WITH CUSTOMS OFFICIAL. Received Monday, 8.35 p.m. NEW YORK, March 24. Officers of the coastguard report that I’m Alone was at anchor t,cn or eleven miles.off the coast when first she was sighted. When an attempt was made to board her, Captain Randall, a Canadian, brandished a pistol and shouted: “Any man attempting to board this ship will be killed.” He is being held prisoner and is charged with “interference of a merchantman with a Customs officer in his hoarding duties." No charge lias yet been laid against the crew. Captain Randall is reported to have admitted he was engaged in rum smuggling but outside American waters and said he was on the high seas when he" was hailed by the coastguard. He has stated: “I did not stop, because I knew I was within my rights and knew I was entitled to the freedom of the seas. This is the most cowardly attack on a merchant ship since the submarine warfare.” He said he only carried liquors for the home port of I’m Alone, which is Montreal, Canada. Continuous Pursuit UPHELD BY INTERNATIONAL LAW, DECLARES COASTGUARD. Received Monday, 7 p.m. WASHINGTON, March 24. In an official statement, the headquarters of the coastguard says tho pursuit and sinking of I’m Alone, a suspected rumrunner, was in accord with international law, which authorises the continuous pursuit of a vessel which has violated the law within the waters over which the United States has control.