PROHIBITION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19477, 12 May 1925, Page 7

PROHIBITION

FOG AT BUM BOW

GOVERNMENT FORCES’ DIFFICULTIES.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright.

NEW YORK, May 9. Wireless repors received by coastguard headquarters state that, with the arrival of a fog in Rum Row on Saturday, several of the largest vessels departed seaward to parts unknown. The fog _ resulted in the Government forces being increased,, by a dozen patrols and a few chasers. The rum-runners are expected to take advantage of the mists in an attempt to land liquor to relieve Broadway’s aridity, which is reported to have increased greatly during the past few days. —Reuter.

THE RUM-RUNNERS,

GOVERNMENT OFFENSIVE,

SHOOT AND KILL.

j NEW YORK. May 9 The war between the coastguard officials and the rum-runners, which has now lasted five days, represents a determined effort by the Government to stamp out the illicit liquor traffic, which is carried on on a gigantic scale along the New York and New Jersey coasts. It is understood that the President, Mr Coolidge, is behind the latest offensive, which is on the largest scale since Prohibition was enacted, tho President having decided that it is essential to compel the big liquor ring to the law of the land. The blockade against Rum Row, ' which is situated 39 miles from, the New York coast, so far has proved most effective, 30 vessels laden with liquor haying been unable to land a single case since May 5, not daring the attempt to break through the line of 59 Government craft of all descriptions drawn up opposite them. The latter have the advantage of being furnished with food from the shore, while the runners’ supplies are daily growing scarcer. According to the latest information, this situation will force the liquor fleet to disperse and try a last chance by attempting to land their cargoes along tho Massachusetts coast or at other points near the centres of population, but coastguard headquarters at Washington, which is directing the blockade, is already pro paring to rush aa many vessels as possible to these and the outer inlets u> checkmate the move. The coastguard is also operating a number of patrol boats axmed with machine guns and one-pounders along the Great Lakes in an attempt to stop the traffic there. The Canadian Government has not yet protested, although an unofficial observer claimed that such an armament violates the Canadian-American boundary treaty. The Washington officials admit that it is impossible to encircle 19,000 miles oi tho nation’s coastline with their personnel, which consists of 8000 men, with 5000 craft of all descriptions, but, nevertheless, they believe that the profitable liquor points have been effectively shut off from the source of supply. The officials admit that the latest campaign is essential to prevent demoralisation of the coastguard service, which has been seriously intimidated by the liquor ring. Numerous Government vessels have recently been sabotaged, and members of the coastguard and their families terrorised and kidnapped. Some have even received threats of death. One Government boat was sunk by . mysterious gasoline explosion, and another severely damaged when a small piece of iron was cleverly inserted in a steam turbine. Another was scuttled at the dock, and another was ruined when ground glass /vas placed in the bearings, while explosions in others have been frequent, occasionally causing the deaths of Government officers. Tlie authorities are convinced that the liquor ring is employing expert machinists to do the damage. The crews of the liquor boats are composed of such desperate and murderous men that the Government ’officers have now been given orders to shoot and kill if necessary.—A. and N.Z. Cable.