Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-12-13

Liquor legislation is holding atten-
ton elsewhere than in Vermont.
Holders of hotel licenses in Massa-
chusetts are greatly disturbed over a
recent decision of the courts that,
under the wording of the excise law,
they must not sell between the hours
of IL in the evening and in the
morning. This shuts them off from
the after-theatre trade. Ii is claimed
that the decision is due to the peculiar
punctuation of the section, and that
the substitution of semi-colon for a
comma by committee of revision a
few years ago is responsible. OF more
general interest is the provision in the
new army reorganization bill abolish
ING the canteen. The bill as reported
In the House contained a provision
merely forbidding the sale of liquors
lat army posts by enlisted men. This
was in line with Attorney-General
Griggs' Interpretation of the canteen
provision in the existing law, which
decision has so greatly exercised the
prohibitionists. The committee held
that the canteen as conducted was a
good thing, affording soldiers an
opportunity to procure beers and the
lighter stimulants at the posts instead
of driving them outside to drink
stronger liquors. Representative
Littlefeld of Maine offered an amend
ment absolutely forbidding the sale of
intoxicants on government property.
After heated discussion, it was
adopted by a bic majority, and the
bill passed the House. 1t is now
before the Senate. The presence Of
the w. c. T. U. in national assembly
in Washington at the time undoubtedly
helped the bill through the House.
There are two sides TO this question Of
the army canteen The fact that the
canteen is favored by great majority
Of officers who have witnessed its
operation for years and who have the
welfare Of the army at heart should
count for a great deal. Among these
are many who would not favor the
canteen moment if they did not think
it a means of lessening intemperance.
The way that Japan has forged to
the front in the past half dozen years
is the marvel of the world. Ten years
ago, Japan was regarded as of almost
no Observation-Disclosures, half
civilized. Today. her rank is among
the great powers of the earth. Her
favor and support are eagerly courted
by the governments that viewed her
with contempt but short time since.
The secret is her wonderful advance
ment in all directions made within ten
years. 1t is not more than half
century since Japan was compelled by
Commodore Perry under duress to
admit foreigners. Previous to that,
she had been as exclusive as China.
But this difference exists between
China and Japan, that whereas the
former still clings to her old ways and
methods that keep her back in the
race, Japan has shown a marvellous
ability to pattern after and adapt
herself to the civilization of the West.
In war, especially, she has proven an
apt pupil, and it is question if she
has not even outstripped some of her
teachers. The ease and skill with
which she brought China to her knees
in their war a few years since was a
revelation TO other nations, and quite
likely to herself. Thus encouraged.
Japan continued to improve and
modernize, until the recent iptIre
with China found her the best pre-
pared of any of the governments to
take the lead. 1t was with the pre-
cision of a Bonaparte that she threw
an army division into China, the best
equipped force for service in the
allied army. 1t was the japanese who
bore the brunt in nearly all the fight
ing. Europeans looked on in amaze
ment TO see this mere fledgling pass
them by. No troops ever fought with
more courage or were commanded
with more skill than the japanese.
But for Japan, the chances are that
the besieged in Pekin would have
persisted before relief reached them.
The conduct of the japanese during
the Chinese occupation, too. has been
almort faultless. They are not accused
Of looting or wanton destruction, as
the soldiers OF the civilized forces
have been. One leading officer in the
campaign has said, Russia wants no
quarrel with Japan, and for that
matter neither do any of Ms Jananasa