Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05
LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN AFRICA.
Action Of the Senate Foreign Rela-
tiOIe Committee.

hGtA~AA Va NnSA senate FOfc1Bn RCA8e
ff0ae Committee.
The Senate 4 mmittee on foreign rela-
items today graiked hearing to the repre-
sentatives of several temperance and re-
form associations In support Of the treaty
framed at Brussels last December by rep
resentatives Of seventeen different nations
providing for the control of the liquor traf-
fic In Africa Among those present were
Bishop Hartzeli. bishop of the Methodist
Episcopal Church for Africa; Mrs. Stevens
president of the W. C. T. T., and repre-
sentatives of tie Anti-Saloon League, the
National Temperance Society and COM
mittee OF the Presbyterian Church. Bishop
Hartzeu made the principal address. and
he strongly urged the Importance OF the
ratification of the treaty at as early day
as possible. saying that 1t was necessary
to the welfare of the black races in their
native continent. Speaking of the treaty,
he said:
This treaty represents the best judg-
ment of the foremost nations Of the world
In their treatment of native races In coun-
tries now being occupied for governmental
and commercial purposes. In 1871 con-
vention was held in Brussels by represen-
tatives of practically the same nations to
consider the suppression OF the slave trade
In Africa. The question of firearms and
Intoxicating drinks among the natives was
also considered. The result was an inter-
national treaty which included the propo-
sition to prohibit the importation and sale
of intoxicating drinks among the natives
OF Africa in zone 20 degrees north ana
% degrees south of the equator, and ex-
tending east and west from ocean to ocean,
That treaty also provided that where either
on account of religious belief or from other
causes the use of distilled liquors does not
exist or has not been developed the powers
shall prohibit their Importation. 1t also
prohibited the manufacture OF distilled
liquors. An exception was made In the
case Of limited quantities intended Tor the
use Of non-native populations. 1t also pro
vided for progressively increasing taxation
on Intoxicating drinks in territories De-
yond the zone. This was intended as an
experiment, to test at what point taxatlon
Of the liquor traffic among the natives
would become practically prohibftive That
treaty was signed by all the powers rep
resented in the convention. The United
States delayed ratifying the treaty. not
only until 1t was among the last TO DO so.
but by this unfortunate delay greatly
jeopardized it's full ratification.
THE treaty now before the Senate goes
a step beyond the former one, and provides
for a tax Of - cents a gallon on intoxicat-
ing drinks intended for natives. The hope
Is that this tax will be largely prohibittve
of the traffic. Already a year has passed
since this treaty was sent to the UNITED
States Senate. 1t Is sincerely hoped that
ness legislation in the remaining months
of the present Congress. time may be
found for the consideration and ratification
of this important treaty"
Members of the committee assured the
bishop of their Endorsement Of the principle
involved and Informed him that the fall
ure of the Senate to consider 1t had been
entirely due to the pressure of other bust
ness. A number Of petitions were present.
ed urging that the treaty should not only
be ratified. but that the principle Involved
should be applied to other uncivilized por-
tons of the world.
After the delegations withdrew the COM
mittee voted to report a resolution for the
ratification of the treaty without amend
mPnt.