OCR Text |
Show . j -v Only a Muddle j IT IS not surprising to find the admlnlstra- tion . diy3deilntJvture-j?olicyPfih.e government In respect to foreign ships carrying carry-ing liquor Into American territorial waters. Prom the outset It was apparent that the -course pursued was calculated to promote dis--cord, both at home nd abroad. Having taken the first step, It appears now that no one knows which way to turn. -Jhe more 'ardent prohibitionists would like t6 see the government not only seize the liquor but the ;hips as well. - The cautious disciples of the new order, however, see In this proposal possibilities of grave International difficulties. We could hardly expect Great Britain to sit supinely by while we seized the vessels carrying her colors. col-ors. - The rights we have assumed are by no means granted and so it behooves us to proceed pro-ceed with the utmost caution. As a people we are big enough and broad enough to refrain re-frain from trying to force our will upon the world. Our friendly relations with Great Britain should not be upset by the fanatical desires of a few prohibition cranks. We have confidence con-fidence in the integrity of Great Britain and should be willing to accept her official Seals at their face value. Liquor under the seal of Great Britain1 in our territorial waters should " cause no more worries than liquor in London. ' OverzealouS efforts on the part of our .dry law officials can only promote trouble. Great Britain would resist attempts to seize her vessels, and the action would render no particular aid to, the dry cause. The chief problem of American prohibition is to be found right here In America, where the vilest of liquor flows freely. Prohibition, regardless regard-less of imports, cannot be a success, so long as this condition holds, , It would seem that we had better clean our own doorstep before be-fore we lake charge of British rights. If we can suppress domestic manufacture, we will find It a comparatively easy matter ta shut out imports, The present course, howeve, looks chiefly to Imports and is bound to promote difficulties,. English "newspapers already are critical of our actions, iit only as they relate to liquor, but Immigration Immi-gration and other international policies. At "least we are not furthering our friendship with Great Britain. s - - ' |