The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-04-06
Officers Aroused Over What
They Call Entertainment On
Their Personal Liberties.
Causes Sensation
Puts Officers On
Level With Jackie
Order Applies to Both Ship
and Ashore-Cannot Serve
Liquor at~Private Entertain
ments and Makes Command
ing Officers Responsible

WASHINGTON. April "a dr1
navy is now to take its place as the
right arm of grape juice diplomacy
In the scheme OF the Wilson admin
istration. Secretary of the Navy DAN
iels has signed an order which ahso-
lutely prohibits the use or introduce
ton of alcoholic liquor upon any yes
sci of the navy or within the confines
of any navy yard station. This order
will be issued today to the service at
once and will become effective on
July l, 1914.
Besides abolishing what Is known
as the officers wine mess on board
ship and the sale OF liquor at the
officers club on shore, Mr.. Daniels
order is so sweeping as practically to
enforce total abstinence upon naval
officers for extended periods. It viii
henceforth be a violation OF this order
for any officer or guest upon any naval
vessel to have in his possession any
alcoholic beverage
officers living on shore will be pro-
hibited from having any liquor in
their private homes, If their duties
require their residence on naval res
ViCS vi 81 HAt~
uated will be prohibited from serv-
ing punches or any other form of
liquor at their social functions.
Commanding officers by the terms
of the order are made personally re-
sponsible for its enforcement, and it
is Secretary Daniels determination
that 1t shall be rigidiy observed. The
Daniels order Is as follows:
The Order.
THE use or introduction for drink
ing purposes of alcoholic liquors on
board any naval vessel or within any
yard or station Is strictly prohibited.
and commanding officers will be held
directly responsible for the enforce
ment OF this order
Mr.. Daniels has had this order UNI
der consideration for a long time,
ever since, in fact. he first discovered
officers on board ship maintained
what is known as a wine mess. from
which, they were permitted to pur-
chase hight wines and beers whenever
they desired.
Mr.. Daniels is an ardent disciple of
william ]. Bryan, and TO the latter's
influence is partially attributed the
present order. Mr.. Daniels announced
that he has taken this action upon
the recommendation of DR.. William
4. BREASTED. WHOM lie recently dp-
pointed surgeon general of the navy.
Causes Sensation.
The prohibition issue has fol-
months been hanging threateningiy
over the congress, and it Is predicted
now that Secretary Daniels action
will give 1t an impetus which will lead
to renewed demands for national leg
islation and embarrassments for the
Wilson administration. Already plans
are being made by prohibition sup
porters to insist upon the extension OF
the principle so as to bar all alcoholic
liquors from the clubs and homes OF
army officers and army reservations.
The news OF the signing of the order
caused a sensation in Washington. Al
the army and navy club today X was
the only topic Of conversation. Many
of the officers were so angry over the
order, that they just sputtered. They
insisted that it would result in hu.
initiating the American navy before the
world and giving Europe another op.
portunity to ridicule the United States
They insisted that the Daniels order
would be regarded in European naval
circles as the companion piece To
grape juice diplomacy.
Daniels Statement.
In explanation of the order. Secre-
tary Daniels made the following state
IncHt diA III hCdi ~ aSAE1AACht WAAn
the views expressed by the surgeon
general in his paper accompanying the
There should not be
on shipboard. with reference to in
toxicating drinks one rule for officers
and another and different rule for the
enlisted personnel. The saddest hour
Of my official career is when an Of
ficer or an enlisted man must be pun
ished for intoxication. If there Is one
more than another that
calls for a clear head and a steady
hand 1t is the naval profession.
Recommendation for possible sus-
pension of the prohibition order Is
made by Surgeon BREASTED as proper il
the hattleships are the scene OF of
fetal entertainments. Mr.. Daniels,
however, did not incfude In the order
any arrangement for exceptions TO Its
terms and has not made any state
ment as TO whether he approves Of
the exception.
Modify for Entertainments.
There is no doubt that the question
in regard to official entertainments
will raise embarrassments II any at (
tempt is made to suspend the order.
BREASTED said In this
connection.
1T is probable that upon certain
special occasions international c0tlr-
tesy might render It advisable to
modify such Z regulation. This could
readily be done by departmental ord-
ers At the same time efforts might
be made to obtain an appropriation
for the entertainment Of our foreign
guests in manner which would avoid
the possible appearance Of critsci3ing
their own customs and regulations
IT no exception II made 10 Tho
order by Mr.. Daniels, It will mean tha1 1
the high ofllcers Of the navles of ~