WET AND DRY

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1929, Page 1

WET AND DRY

BRITISH AM BASSADOR’S DECISION. NOT TO IMPORT LIQUOR, NEW YORK PAPER’S STRONG CRITICISM. (United Press Association—By Electro Telegraph—Copyright). (Received this day at 9.2 d a.m.) WASHINGTON, June G. Sir Esme Howard ’has informed Secretary Stimson of his contemplated action not to import into United States any more liquor under his diplomatic privileges. NEW YORK, June G. The New York “Evening Post’’ in a leader entitled “Sir Esme impairs, his usefulness,” comments: —“We do not know the motives of Sir Esme Howard in decreeing that the British Embassy at Washington shall no longer import liquors He may have done so out of a desire to make a courteous gesture to United Stales. Unfortunately the change has a dilferent puublic aspect. Willy nilly, it makes the. Ambassador take sides on the most pressing question?' of domestic American politics He will not only embarrass fellow diplomats, but will' plunge anew the question of “diplomatic liquor’’ into the cauldron of the prohibition fight. He will become a symbol in the fight between the wets and drys. To one faction in the country to which lie >s accredited, lie will be a hero. In another part of the population his act will rouse deep resentment. An Ambassador should hold no such political position. Sir 'Esme has definitely impaired liis usefulness as the British Ambassador to the United States.”