Released on Bail

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 623, 27 March 1929, Page 9

Released on Bail

CAPTAIN AND CREW OF I’M ALONE Canada Takes Over Controversy CAPTAIN KAA'DALL and tlio crew of the British schooner I'm Alone, which was sunk by the TJ.S. cutter Dexter, Pave been released on bail at New Orleans. In the meantime Canada has come into the controversy, and a diplomatic clash between the Dominion and the United States is predicated. A former American Senator has suggested that Britain should sell to U.S.A. her island possessions in the Caribbean, which, he asserts are infested with smugglers. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association)

Reed. 11.10 a.ni. WASHINGTON, Tues. The sinking - .of the I’m Alone has resolved itself .into a question for settlement between the Canadian and the United States Governments. The British Ambassador, Sir Esme Howard, who ma&e the original inquiries, has informed the United States Government that, as the ship was Canadian-registered, replies to his queries should he addressed to the Hon. Vincent Ma\ssey, Canadian Ambassador to the United States. The British Ambassador will retain his interest if it is found that the interpretation of the liquor smuggling treaty is involved, also to the extent of narm done to or the molestatian of any British member of the .schooner’s crew. A diplomatic clash between the Governments of the United States and Canada appears to be probable. The situation has been intevisified by a statement made by the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr. A. W. Melloyi, in justification of the action of the coastguard. UNPLEASANTNESS FEARED Having discovered that the schooner was on the Canadian registry, thet Dominion’s Legation at Washington I has taken over the handling of the incident. The possibility of unpleasantness is feared owing to Canada’s interpretation of the rum-running treaty with the United States. Although the treaty in question is identical with that between the United States and Britain, in the case of Canada it is regarded as a separate document, and the interpretations of the Canadian Government and the United States Treasury Department differ greatly. The main point of difference seems now to be on the question of the coastguard’s rights to pursue the I’m Alone in the Dexter from the point where the two vessels first met. It is expected that long and complicated negotiations between the two countries will follow the investigation now being held at New Orleans. SHOULD BRITAIN SELL? Mr. S. G. Porter, a former member of Congress, who has been America’s representative on various League of Nations narcotic bodies, issued a statement alleging that he has information to the effect that the I’m Alone

was engaged in drug smuggling. li that were so, the crew of the shit were “fiends and murderers.” “Our ties with Britain are far to-, strong to be disturbed by such an inci dent as the sinking of a smuggling skip,” said Mr. I’orter. “If Britain takes this sinking of a smuggler’* schooner seriously, and attempts tc raise an issue, it will be an opportune time for our Government to make an offer to buy all the British possessions in the Caribbean Sea, including West and East Belize, and British Guiana, as a partial liquidation of the war debt.

“British ports off our coast are in fested with smugglers, who are bound to cause increasing irritation and friction between Britain and ourselves AH these British possessions are w* 11 within our sphere of influence, both commercial and geographical.”