RUM ROW BATTLE.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1925, Page 3

RUM ROW BATTLE.

blockade so far kffkctivk. HARD KNOCKS l;V RDM KINGS. iCSItIAOUN »,VU N.Z. CAIJot AbSOCIATtOK JW* : vcu tliis day at S a. 111.) XKW YORK. May 0. The war between the coastguard officials imd tlie ruin runners, which has

now lasted for live days, represents a determined effort l.y the i(overnn.ent to stamp out the illicit iiq-mr traflic carried oti on a gigantic scale along the New York and New .jersey coasts. It is understood teat president Coulidge is behind the latest offensive which is on the la fees t scale since prohibition was enacted, the president having decided that it is essential to respect the law of the land. The blockade against nun row, which is situated thirty miles from the New York coast. turn so tar proved most effective, thirty vessels laden with liiptor having been unable to land a single ease since ttie olh of .May, not daring to attempt to break through the line of the tit'ty Government craft of all descriptions drawn up opposite them. The latter have the advantage of being supplied with food from the shore while the runners' supplies are daily growing scarier. Aecoriling to l latest i ■ format ion this situation will force the liquor fleet to disperse and try as a last chance, by attempting to land their cargoes along the .Massachusetts coast, nr other points near the centres of population; hut the coastguard headquarters at Washington which is directing the. blockade, is already preparing'to rush as many vessels as possible to liase and other inlets to checkmate the move. Coastguards are also operating a number of patrol boats armed with

machine guns ami one pounders along the (Ireat Lakes, attempting to slop the traflic there. The Canadian (lovernmeiil has not. yet protested, although an unofficial observer claimed that such armament violates the Can-adiaii-Atiiericaii Boundary Treaty. Washington officials admit that it is impossible to encircle the ten thousand miles of the nation’s coastline

with their personnel which consists of eight thousand men and live thousand craft of all description.-,-, hut nevertheless they believe mat the profitable liquor ports have been ■effectively shut off front the source of supply. The oliicials admit that tin; latest campaign is essential to prevent the demoraiisuti. a ul the coastguard ser- \ ice which has been seri msly intimidated l.y the liquor ring. Numerous ! e.ivernincui vi ss have recently been sabotaged, while tile Coastguard and their families have In ell t, rrori-ed and kidnapped and have even received threats of death. One Government boat wa- sunk by a toys!er.ims gas >- line exnln-ioii and another was severely damaged by a small piece ul iron cleverly inserted in tlm steam i urbiue. A nut her was scut tied at the deck, wade one was ruined when it grounded. Class hit-, been placed in the bearings of some vessels, while explosions in others have been frequent, o. : asinmilly cattsing deaths. The Covernment oihe rs and authorities are convinced that me liquor ring are employing expert machinists to do the damage. .Meanwhile the crews of the liquor boats arc eompe-t d ~r such desperate and murderous li'a'ii I liar. the. Covcrnmcnl officers have now been given orders to snout and l id i| lU'.M ROW fn i. XKW YORK. May !'■ Wireless reports received by the Coastguard headquarters state with lb.- arrival of fog in Rum Row on Saturday. several of the largest vessels departed seaward t i parts unknown. The fog resulted in the Covernmeui forces being increased l.y a dozen patrols and a few chasers. Ihe rum runnel s are < vperte I to I u!o‘ ad, an-

I age of 1 lie mists in an all cmpl to land the liquor to relieve Broadway s aridity, which is reported to he greatly increased during the past few days.