"Rum Pact"

The last official act of Sir Auckland Geddes, retiring British Ambassador, before sailing for home last week, was to sign with Secretary Hughes the so-called "Rum pact." Its chief provisions :

1) That the three-mile limit of territorial waters is upheld.

2) That when there is reasonable cause for belief that a British vessel has committed or is committing offences against the laws of the U. S., it may be seized by U. S. authorities anywhere within an hour's sailing distance from the shore (an hour's sailing distance for the vessel transporting liquor to shore) and brought to the U. S. for adjudication.

3) In return, that British vessels may enter U. S. ports with liquors under seal, provided that such liquors shall not be unloaded in U. S. territory.

4) That a joint commission shall settle all claims for any unjust seizure of British vessels under the pact.

5) That the treaty is to hold for one year and be automatically renewed from year to year unless either party suggests modifications three months beforehand. The treaty will lapse if either party is prevented by judicial or legislative action from carrying out its provisions.

It is expected that the Senate will ratify the treaty. Now that this type of convention has been arrived at, it is expected that France, Italy, Spain, Holland, Denmark, Sweden will soon negotiate similar agreements.