LIQUOR SMUGGLING

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11664, 31 October 1923, Page 8

LIQUOR SMUGGLING

UNITED STATES’S REQUEST. WILL BRITAIN AGREE? Published Sn “The Tltnee ” LONDON, October 29. Tli© diccicpancy between the announcement in America that Britain is likely to agree to the 12-mil© limit of territorial waters, and a semi-offi-cial denial issued in London, seem to be explained by an authoritative American statement published in “Tho Times,” a» follows: “As Lord Curzon previously declared that there was no chance of Britain agieeing in any circumstances whatever to a 12-mil© limit, the British denial is natural enough; but what tho American reports attributed to Britain was their willingness to accept the 12-mil© limit in principle. America is rot asking Britain to accept it in principle, but as a spccal privilege to copo with tho liquor smugglers alone.”

Tho statement adds: “If such an agreement is leached, there is little doubt that th© American Senate will permit ij itishi -tfossols to cany liquor.” Th© writer considers that Britain ought to accept tho bargain on the lines of Mr llughes\s proposal. Tho three miles principle could be specially safeguarded hy its definite insertion in the preamble to th© Anglo-American Treaty, which Britain desires.”