22 MARCH 1924, Page 9

THE

ENGLISH-SPEAKING WORLD.

BY EVELYN WRENCH.

BY 61 votes to 7 the American Senate ratified last week the Liquor Treaty with Great Britain. Henceforward any British vessels suspected of attempting to evade the United States laws may be searched within an hour's steaming of the American shore. All who care about the existence of friendly relations between the United States and the British Empire will give a sigh of relief that agreement has been reached. The use that has been made of the British flag for smuggling liquor into the United States during the past two years is not one of which we have any reason to be proud. Sir Auckland Geddes remarked at the recent dinner given to him by " The Pilgrims " how humiliating it was for him as British Ambassador at Washington to have to make representations to the State Department on behalf of vessels flying the British flag engaged in this disreputable traffic. The signing of the Treaty means that a very fruitful cause of friction in the relations of the two countries has been removed.