FACTS AND LAW IN I’M ALONE CASE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6873, 1 April 1929, Page 7

FACTS AND LAW IN I’M ALONE CASE

Authorities Active INQUIRY STAGE STILL British Official Wireless. RUGBY, March 28. The case of the auxiliary engined schooner I'm Alone, sunk last Friday by a United States Customs cutter, is receiving the attention of, the authorities in Washington, Ottawa and London. It still remains in a stago when the full facts are being ascertained, verified, and correlated. As the vessel was of Canadian registry and the captain and most, if not all, of the crew are Canadian subjects, the Canadian Ministor at Washington and the Ottawa Government are primarily and directly interested, while the British Government is devoting attention to reports by Sir Esme Howard. The case has naturally directed attention to the Convention “Respecting the Regulation of Liquor Traffic” between the British and United States Governments concluded at Washington, 1924. In Article One of this document the principle that three marine miles constitute the proper limit of territorial waters is affirmed. In Article Two the British Government agrees, to raise no objection to the boarding of British vessels outside territorial waters in order that inquiries may be addressed to those on board and examination be made of tho ship’s papers for purpose of ascertaining whether there are alcoholic beverages. on board for importation into the United States. The. vessel may be seized and taken, into a port of the nited States. The rights conferred by this Article shall not be exercised at a creator distance from the coast of the United States than can bo tra(versed in one hour by tho suspected i vessel. Article Three authorises the carriage of alcoholic liquor in liners voyaging to and from the United States. Article Four states that any claim by a British vessel for compensation on account of an improper or unreasonable exercise of the rights conferred by Article Two shall bo referred for the joint consideration of two persons, one of whom shall be nominated by each of the high contracting parties. If no joint report can be agreed upon, the claim shall be referred to the Pecuniary Claims Commission established at Washington' in, 1910.