The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-11-18
EMPEROR WILLIAM AND THE
DRINK QUESTION.

In view of the constant assertion
that attempts to restrict the use OF
liquor are assaults upon the German
people. it is interesting to read a
speech delivered by Emperor William
to the naval cadets at Murwik. The
Emperor says:
i will give you, in addition, some
advice upon a question, which In the
interest OF my nation, I have very
much at heart, that Of the alcohol
evil and the drink habit. / know
very well that the pleasure of drink
ing is an old heritage of the Germans.
but we must, by self-discipline, deliver
ourselves from that evil. can assure
you that In the course Of my reign Of
twenty-five years, have observed
from experience that the greater part
OF the crimes which have been ap-
pealed to me for decision ought to be
reported as the results OF the alcohol
evil. Formerly 1t used to be con-
sidered a very smart thing for youth
to absorb great quantity of alcohol,
and myself, as young officer, had
such examples before me, but never
initiated them. Those ideas belong to
the thirty years war and no longer
fit our times. Without speaking of
the results of drink, which I do not
need to describe, will call your atten-
ton, especially, to one effect of in
temperance which touches your future
profession. As you will observe for
yourself, in the course of your service
on shipboard, naval service demands
height Of effort which it is hardly
possible to surpass. It devolves on
you to maintain steady tension with
out cessation, to keep in condition to
meet exigencies. The next war, the
next naval battle will demand from
you sound nerves. Nerve power will
decide the victory. Now, the nerves
are ruined, damaged from youth by
the use of alcohol Later you will
have opportunity to see the target
ships and to study the action OF mod
ern projectiles upon vessels. You will
have thus, picture of the conditions
of battle. You will see frightful de-
vastation. It Is then that it is neces-
sary to have sound nerves and cool
head. The nation which absorbs the
least amount of alcohol will carry
home the victory. And this is what
you must do, gentlemen. You must
give the example to the crew, for it
is example which acts most potently
upon men. I depend upon you now
in this naval school and, later, among
the battleships, that you watch your
selves and each other I'm this regard,
and that you do not count alcoholic
beverages as among your privileges.
There are being founded in the navy.
where they already exist, Good Tenn
plar lodges and sections of the Blue
Cross. Many officers and some hun
dreds of men belong to them. I hope
that you will do everything which you
can to persuade the men to join. I do
not need to cali your attention to the
example of the British navy where
10000 officers and men already belong
to these societies, to the very great
benefit Of the navy. This is matter
of great importance to our navy and to
our people. II you will pay attention
to the education of your men in the
sound sense Of abstinence from alco-
hol. I shall have sane and reasonable
subjects. This is a question Of great
importance to our people, for these
men when their terms of service have
expired, will carry back the idea to
land. II you will champion these
principles, my people will be great
morally. This Is labor i'm which
pray you to cooperate"