WITHIN ITS RIGHTS

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

WITHIN ITS RIGHTS

BRITISH CONSUL’S VIEW NO VIOLATION OF LIMIT (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 9.20 a.m. NEW ORLEANS, Tuesday. Tk& preliminary inquiry into the sinking of the I’m Alone lias been adjourned one week by agreement. Captain. Randell has been released on a £IOO bond, and his crew in their own recognisances. In the meantime, the British ConsulGeneral smtd that he is satisfied that the I’m Alone was within its rights in refusing ,to halt, and was not violating the 11'-m 4 limit. He is forwarding a fuYl port to the British Embassy at Washington. The charges by the United States Governnaent against the men ignored any offeree immediately preceding the chase and shelling of the boat, and were based on an alleged offence in December last. Captain Randell yesterday made a formal demand that* he and his crew should be regarded as shipwrecked mariners, and released. Failing this. Captain Randell’s attorney announced that he would immediately institute habeas corpus proceedings. Captain Randell says he did not violate the law, and that authorities have no evidence of any violation. He delivered liquor in December to an unknown boat well outside .she treaty limits, which boat may or ..may not have smuggled it ashore. Charges were prepared yesterday by the Federal attorneys at Now Orleans, alleging conspiracy to violate the Tariff Act, based on the I’m Alone’s visit on March 20. Before the charges were filed, however, attention was called to th© fact A'lat there had been no overt act. The charges were then liastAV changed to make the alleged conspiracy apply to the alleged offened in December.