Some time ago a British ship, the Marion L. Mosher, was caught by a coast guard cutter trying to land liquor on Long Island, the ship was chased and actual seizure took place outside the three-mile limit. Ambassador Geddes objected and the ship was released on a $20,000 bond, furnished by a surety company, that the Marion L. Mosher would land her cargo of liquor at St. John, New Brunswick. She landed at St. John, but without her cargo. The surety company refused to pay the bond or the ground that the original seizure of the vessel had been illegal. Judge Woodrough of the United States District Court ruled that the seizure was justifiable.
The customs service will not take advantage of the ruling to seize rum runners beyond the three-mile limit. It will await a final ruling from the Supreme Court rather than attempt a practice now which is sure to evoke diplomatic protests.
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