Washington, Nov. 12—Activities on ‘‘rum row” of vessels under the Norwegian flag, reported by the coast guard service yesterday, will be investigated by the Norwegian minister here. H. H. Bryn.
Mr. Bryn said today he would ask the American government to furnish him with the names of these ships in order that he might communicate the facts to the Norwegian foreign office.
The minister added that popular opinion In Norway, which is itself a prohibition country, would oppose the use of the Norwegian flag for smuggling liquor into the United States. He expressed confidence that the Norwegian Ship Owners’ Association would take steps to correct any such situation as pointed out in the coast guard report.
Mr. Bryn declared at the same time he was unaware that any considerable number of Norwegian ships were active In the rum fleet, the only case that had been drawn to his attention being that of the seizure of the Segakind.
While doubting whether any official action could be taken by his government to restrain the bringing into this country of liquors from Norwegian ships, as this would entain special legislation. Mr. Bryn expressed the opinion that the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association would, if satisfied of the charges, exert pressure, supported by public opinion, to stop such traffic under the Norwegian flag.
At present, he said, the liquor treaty between the United states and Norway is the only agreement between the two countries which has any bearing on bootlegging. In his opinion It would be difficult to make a general agreement of that nature more stringent so as to do away with bootlegging altogether.
Daily Kennebec Journal, Augusta, ME, November 14, 1924