Rum Rumblings

The ruling, now in effect, that foreign ships entering United States territorial waters must not carry liquors caused little actual disturbance although great pyrotechnics in the way of discussion. Foreign ships entered and cleared American ports without liquor, foreign crews grumbled, and foreign governments did nothing--as yet. A few ships stopped at Cuban or Canadian ports to drop their liquor stores, but most arriving vessels had provided in advance for the contingency--that is, by sailing with small liquor stocks. From the State Department came the suggestion that foreign ships might be allowed to bring in liquor under seal--by treaty--if foreign governments would allow us in return to extend the three mile limit to twelve miles in searching vessels and seizing rum runners.

In England a retaliatory bill to make it compulsory for ships entering British waters to carry liquor was killed in the House of Commons. The ministry was " too busy," however, to take up active consideration of the ship-liquor problem.