The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1914-07-24
Alcohol Is Doomed.

A press dispatch from Russia bring;
the interesting news that the Gar has
issued an order driving intoxicating
liquor out Of the Russian army. The
following is the text of the dispatch;
Emperor Nicholas has just promul'
gated general order dealing with the
drink evil in his army. Its provisions
are Of the most drastic character. and
as such will doubtless commend them
selves to Secretary Josephus Daniels Of
the United States Navy. Vodka is for
hidden to the men at all times, and the
Gar directs that the most stringent
measures shall be taken TO prevent them
from buying it. No soldier, il he is
known to be inclined to drink, is to be
allowed to receive money from home
without special permission from bis
commanding officer.
"Oficers OF every rank are forbidden
to drink spirits in camp, on maneuyers,
or while on any kind Of duty, and those
in high command are ordered by the
Emperor to discourage as much as pos
sibIe the drinking OF alcohol, aud to
set an example in the matter OF total
abstinence to their subordinates. All
cases OF drunkenness, either among
officers or men, are to be dealt with in
the most severe manner possible. Med
ical officers of the army are to deliver
periodical lectures to officers and men
on the harmful effects of alcohol.
Commanders OF regiments are in
structed to do their best to improve the
mess life OF the officers under their
orders, aud to foster the introduction
OF games, the addition OF libraries to
the mess quarters, and to arrange for
facilities for the study Of foreign Lam
guages. In the same way, the COM
pany officers are required to endeavor
to improve the lot of the rank and file
by devising and organizing games and
sports, which will keep them out OF
doors, wholesomely occupied during
their free time. Soldiers known to be
addicted to drink are to be the subject
of special solicitude by the regimental
officers, chaplains, and surgeons.
This is the first occasion on which
any such general order has ever been
issued to the Russian troops. But the
Emperor has been led to issue it by the
necessity of adding to the efficiency OF
his huge army. Field Marshal Lord
Kitchener demonstrated in his various
Soudan campaigns, eliminating in the
crushing OF the Dervish Mahdi at Om-
durham in 1898, the military advan-
tapes OF total abstinence from alcohol
when on active service, and since then
there has been disposition on the part
Of the military authorities 10 all coun-
tries to discourage the use OF alcohol
among officers and men, modern meth
DDS of warfare and arms Of precision
demanding an extremely level head and
steady hand, rather than reckless gal
lantry, prompted by what is popularity
known as Dutch courage. :"
What have the defenders of booze to
say in answer to. this very conclusive
evidence Of the evil OF alcoholic drinksl
II the soldier must give up alcohol
because it interferes with bis efficiency,
why should not the civilian promote his
efficiency by giving it ups And II 1t Is
demonstrated that alcohol is an evil,
and only an evil; il it is proven that
il lessons the productive value OF the
citizen, who will say that the nation
should look upon this great evil with
indifference merely because few peo'
pie want to grow rich out OF q drink
that is destructive2 Why should we con
denim opium, morphine aud cocaine !
we ave to worship at the shrine OF whis
key and beer9
Secretary Daniels need not fear tina
his policy Of excluding intoxicants from
the navy will be condemned by thu
American people. tn putting a bar
upon alcoholic drinks in the navy he i
showing the same wisdom that charac
teriaes Emperor William and the GA
in the efforts they are making in behal
OF total abstinence. w. J. BRYAN.
| Precocious Child.