A request made by Sir Brodrick Hartwell, Bart., for subscriptions to buy liquor abroad and ship it to the rum fleet off the shore of the U. S. threatens to become an international incident. The Baronet's first appeal was to British investors and led to a controversy with Premier MacDonald, who referred to his activities as a "disgraceful blot" (TIME, June 9). Apparently British contributors were not forthcoming. But Sir Brodrick is not easily discouraged. His next appeal was made to Americans. He obtained a "sucker list" and mailed a glowing prospectus to the names upon it, which, under the title of "The problem of liquor and the so-called smuggling of liquor into the United States," speaks of "money made and to be made" in the traffic.
It appears that Sir Brodrick, who is sometimes referred to as "The Commodore of Rum Row," was invited by "a powerful group of American importers" to ship various liquors to the rum fleet. "Danger in the enterprise? My word, no!" cries he. Starting in August, 1923, he has managed four successful shipments so far. "I sell my goods for cash," his prospectus declares, "against delivery on the high seas, and the return of the capital and the profit is