The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-18
Nv Ey-ATTACHE

Canada has taken 10 heart the Kaiser
recent homily on the Importance of so
briefly in the naval profession, for II has
been announced that alcohol in any form
or shape is strictly forbidden on board
the ships of her new navy.
Emperor William wound up the ad-
dress referred TO above, and which was
delivered at the dedication of the new
naval academy at Flensburg, with the
words: Victory in the next war will
chown the colors of the nation which
consumes the least alcohol" This does
not mean that William is a total alb
stainer. He drinks both beer and wine.
but only in moderation. as all those
Americans who have been entertained
by him can TESTIFY. But he is alive 10
the necessity Of not merely temperance,
but also OF total abstinence. on board his
fleet under the new conditions of naval
warfare.
Everything in an action at sea depends
upon the sighting OF the guns with the
utmost degree Of exacttude There is
but little boarding TO be done in these
times OF ironclad warfare. Vessels no
longer are armed with tier upon tier of
small cannon. some of the battle ships
Of the early Victorian era having hun
bred OF them equipped with gigantic
pieces OF ordnance carrying projectiles
Of colossal weight over a range Of sew
eral miles. II is no longer necessary to
pepper the hull OF a man-of-war full Of
small cannonball holes in order 10 sink
her. This can be achieved by one single
well-directed shot Al depends, there
fore. upon the precision of the gunnery.
Admiral Lord Charles BeresfOrd, who
for years has been a total abstainer-nOt
as a matter of principle. but by way Of
affording an example 20 the men under
him-while in command OF the Mediter-
ranean and the home fleets laid stress.
when last in New York, on the fact that
his prize gunners were men who did not
drink.
Abolish the Daily GroE.
The British admiralty has not yet fol-
lowed the example Of the United States
which has long since abandoned the daily
ration OF grog 10 the men of It's navy
Yet the commanders OF all British men
of-war in commission have instructions
that when going into action not drop OF
alcoholic liquor. no matter whether spirit
wine, or malt, is 10 be allowed among
officers or men. In order 10 Stake the
thirst engendered by the heat. exertion.
and smoke inseparable from a naval
combat supplies Of oatmeal and water
for drinking are arranged all over the
ship. Similar rules are In force in the
Japanese navy. whereas in that Of Eng
land inebriety, formerly treated with
relative indulgence, is now punished with
great severity.
Then, too. the modern war ship is the
most complicated piece OF machinery in
existence. Everything practically is done
by electricity. The coming tower, or the
cabin from which the commander directs
every movement of his ship. has its walls
covered with electrical push-bpttons and
small levers. 1t is necessary that every
faculty Of the human brain should be
alert and sharpened to the finest point in
order TO know just what button or lever
10 touch In a moment of emergency, since
the slightest mistake might result In
catastrophe. The responsibility is over
whelming. II is not only ones own ca
reer and ones own life that are in the
balance but also the fate OF the ship.
representing a cost perhaps of 10000, COO
and the existence of all fellow-creatures
on board.
Not So Strict with Land Forces.
II is noteworthy that while the Kaiser
total abstinence in his navy.
he is content with recommending merely
temperance in the army. and in the last