AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1923, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

AI STIIAMAX AND N. 7.. CAULK ASSOC lATION. ALBERTA AM) ST ATT. CONTROL. OTTAWA, April 20. A special committee of the Provincial Legist atnre of Alberta has re-oin-meudeil a referendum on the lour following, ijuestions: (1) Prohibition: (2) licensed sal” of beer: (A) Government sale of beer, and (4) the Government sale of all liquors. 1/.S.A. PROBLKAL NEW TO Pi K. April 21. Wasbiugton correspondents suite that the Cabinet after a. long s- ssion concerning the Atlantic Coast hquur smuggling lias decided that immediate drastic action is needed to end what President Harding regards as the gravest problem. The continual presence off the New Jersey coast of numerous liquor-laden craft, under foreign registry, is rendering the enforcement of prohibition almost impossible. While it is announced that the Government has no definite plan formulated, it is believed that two lines of action arc being studied, namely, either to make a strong request for the co-operation of other Governments to suppress smuggling, or to use the navy to disperse the rum-running vessels. However, there is considerable opposition to the hitter course, many officials believing that it would result in international complications unfavourable to the h idled States. THE DOPE TRAFFIC. OTTAWA, April 21. The Montreal police have announced that, a huge shipment of drugs, valued at half a million dollars, intended to he smuggled into Canada and the United States, lias been seized on an unnamed vessel in mid-Atlantic hv Scotland Yard detectives, who had secreted themselves aboard while the ship lay in an English port, en route from Germany to Halifax. The British Secret Service in Germany supplied a tip. which led to the smugglers being caught- red-handc-d. The vessel lias been handed over to the Canadian authorities at Halifax. DOUBTFUL OF STATUS. WASHINGTON. April 19. Air Hughes has issued instructions to American diplomatic officers, based on a communication from Lascar which stated that some foreign Governments are doubtful concerning the status of the Shipping Board's vessels. Air Hughes declares the United States does not claim that such vessels are entitled to the immunities or advantages usually accorded the Government or owners of vessels of a foreign nation.