The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-13

the First National Congress
against Alcoholism. For one who
MSi5lH gauges the developments of alcohol
exkzU ism in France the of efforts
and the methods to oppose the advance
In the use of strong drinks, no better
opportunity could be found By "alcohof
Frenchmen, in general parlance. refer only
to distilled drinks-wine cider and beer
are received as hygenic beverages Inc
congress was held in the Paris School OF
Medicine. One Of its most striking features
was the Musee Antialcoholique, which
was so placed so as to draw the congress
lists. the students and the passers-by. Tnere
were exhibited charts showing many statis-
tical results of the use Of strong drink, the
constitutions OF various anti-alcoholic So
cieties, from the most liberal to the strict
est total abstinence, from those of societies
of Free-thinkers to those of Professionals
and Catholics On all sides there were pic
lures and posters, the work of French ar
lists portraying the effects Of alcoholism
in most tragic forms. Some were the en-
bodiment of practical, good sense. while
others were horrible and even repugnant
There were others still that set forth the
opinions of great personalities of the
ton of alcohol. There were slides for illus
trated lectures. the ablest French books
on anti-alcoholsm, and photographers of
the best available French pamphlets. What
seemed the most important was the collec-
ton Of small and ably-written textbooks
which are now used in all the schools of
France to teach the youth the destructive
potentiality of alcohol.
That the evil of strong drink is tremen-
dous, and may become disastrous is admit
ted by all. What makes the situation most
painful is the fact that France is the great
est producer of alcohol in Europe and has
now to struggle against It's consumption.
There is a profound antagonism between
her economic and her moral life 1t Is true
that science is throwing some light upon
the economic aspect of the question. Not
long ago an exposition of the application
of alcohol to industrial life showed many
new uses of alcohol. 1t Is used more and
more for heating and for automobile serv-
ice; and it has been shown that, in France,
it may be used for Illuminating purposes
at smaller cost than petroleum. The gov
eminent with all possible good will, finds
it's hands tied in dealing with distilled
drinks as it would like
A DEMORALIZING PRIVILEGE.
One Of the greatest agents for drunken
ness is the small home distiller, the bouil-
leur de cru, who has the privilege of dis
tilling sufficient alcohol for his family. This
practice makes possible unspeakable frauds.
The farmers pay their laborers with bot
ties of fraudulent brandy. Unfortunately
this class of farmers and wine growers
constitute a potent electoral force. The
liberty granted by the republic to open
saloons without previous license has amaz-
ingly increased their number. In the cities
of Normandy the principal streets have so
many drinking places that one soon gives
up the attempt to count them. An officer
of the French army said to the writer,
Normandy formerly the land in
France which would send us the best men,
but now, on account of the use of strong
drinks, it is the province in the whole
country which has the largest number of
men thrown out at the inspection of re-
cruits." The reports Of some of the Nor
man villages almost incredible. From
the fiscal receipts In the village of Gouville
it would follow that the inhabitants indi-
vidually consume $50 liters of brandy per
year, and that, If the children were taken
out OF count, the average would be 80
liters. This. of course, is very exceptional.
In little village of the Department of the
Nord / counted fourteen saloons upon the
public square. The saloon keepers of the
bouilleurs de cru are great factors in
French politics. and yet the government,
with all its impediments, has not been idle.
The most energetic work has been done by
the orders of the minister of war in the
barracks. The sale and use of distilled
drinks is forbidden. 1.-THE rules and orders
given to u.s. said an officer TO me, ARE car
ried out, but in course of time they lose
| their sharp edge and are applied with less
rightly, but the orders prohibiting the use
of alcohol are enforced perhaps more
strictly than at first" Formerly the SOL
ders who returned intoxicated to the bar
racks were the objects of the utmost tolera-
ton, now they are not allowed to enter the
dormitories, but must spend the night upon
rough boards in confinement with no other
bedding than their blanket. While was in
the city OF Cambria a soldier was seen
drinking small glass of brandy in a
canteen. The officer put him under arrest
for two weeks and the cantineer was
warned that the repetition of the offense
would entail the loss of his lucrative posi-
ton. He Is allowed to sell only what comes
under the head of hygienic drinks.
TEMPERANCE IN THE ARMY.
The officers are required to give lectures
| upon the evils of alcoholism and to use all
| their influence in that direction. They also
make of many notices and posters
| some of which have the French military
stamp upon them. 'Sobriety makes the good
soldier IF France continues to alcohol
| ize itself, in ten years there will be two
German conscripts for a French one" ''war
on alcoholism" General Gallieni. governor