22 SEPTEMBER 1923, Page 2

The Washington correspondent of the Times reports in Thursday's paper

that a Reply has been received to the American proposal of June 13th that a special agreement for a definite period should be made under which the carrying of liquor under seal within the three- mile limit should be permitted to foreign vessels, if the Powers would grant to America the right to search ships and seize contraband articles within twelve miles from the shore. The general sense of the Reply is said to be unfavourable to the American proposal, but it ends with the announcement that the whole question will be discussed at the Imperial Conference in October. We are so disgusted with the whole business of foreigners, particularly British subjects, conspiring with boot-leggers to defeat American law that we hope the Imperial Con- ference will adopt a very, liberal and conciliatory attitude.