Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-01
BRITA|N'S PLIGHT
| BLAMED ON DRINK
BY KING GEORGE:
His Majesty Advocates Wig
Orous Measures to Cope
With Grave Situation.
TOTAL PROHIBITION
SEEMS FORESHADOWED
Armament Factories Now I'm
able to Meet Demand for Mu-
nitions of War.
PRESS AND PUBLIC UNITE
All Favor Drastic Action, Even to
Bnnishment Of Liquor Through
out Kingdom.
'REss AND PUBLIC UNITE

LONDON, March 31.-Drink is blamed
TO largo extent by King George for
EnSlands Inability to obtain neces-
sary war materials for the army In tho
neid. in n letter sent by the Kings
private secretary, Lord Stamfordham.
to Chancellor OF the Excheouer Llovd
George.
His Majesty feels that nothing but
the most vigorous measures Will suc-
cessfully cope with the grave situation
now existing in our armamen. fac.
tories" the letter says, and "if It is
deemed advisable Will be prepared to
set an example by giving up all alco-
holic liquor himself and by issuing
orders against it's consumption in the
royal households"
The letter says:
Inc kinE thanks you for so prompt
~ letting him have n full report OF the
proceedings Mt yesterdays meeting of
the deputation OF the employees His
Majesty has read it with intense inter-
est, but also with the deepest concern.
fie feels that nothing but the most
vigorous measures will successfully
cope with the grave situation now ex
listing In our armament factories
DRING PROBLEM CAUSE
OF SERIOUS DELAYS
we have before us tie statements
not merely OF the employers, but OF
the admiralty and the War Onice. which
are responsible for munitions of war
and for the transport Of troops and
their food and ammunition. From this
evidence, 1t Is without doubt largely
duo TO drink that we are unable to So
cure the output OF war material !ndis-
| mr. 1>l =
the army in the field, and that there
have been such serious delays. in con-
sequence OF the necessary rc-enforce-
ments Of supplies. to aid our gallant
troops at the front
~ continuance of such n state of
things must inevitably result In tho
prolongation OF the horrors and bur-
dens OF this terrible war.
II am instructed to add. that If IL
be deemed advisable. the King will be
prepared to set an example by giving
up all alcoholic liquor himself and by
Issuing orders against its consumption
in the royal households so that no diff
ference shall be made, so far rs His
Majesty Is concerned. between tho
| treatment OF the rich and the poor in
this question.
tSigned> lord STAAiFORDHAM.
The Kings Private Secretary"
The question OF drink and its effect
on work. considered necessary for the
successful prosecution OF the war, over
| shadows everything else in public in
terest. The press and the public favor
drastic measures. most OF the news
papers expressing the belief that total
prohibition is necessary. The govern
ment. however, has reached no decision.
although II Lloyd George and Lord
Kitchener have their way. 1t is believed
| that there will be total prohibition.
TO bring this about, the government
must have an act OF Parliament passed
LOCAL PROHIBITION
WOULD CAUSE OUTCRY
1t is pointed out that to prohibit tho
sale of liquor only in the localities
where men are engaged in the manu-
facture Of munitions would cause a
great outcry. and that aside from total
prohibition apparently the only way
of dealing with the matter is n further
curtailment in the hours OF sale.
Some would prohibit the sale ot
spirits, but allow the salc Of beer and
wine. 1t is understood, however, that
leaders would not be satisfied except
with the most stringent restrictions.
The matter VIII require long con-
sideration to determine questions of
compensation and employment for
thousands who would be thrown out OF
work.
Glasgow liquor dealers have decided
to ask Lloyd George to receive n depn-
tation which will suggest n drastic re-
duction in the hours for the sale OF
liquor Tho same dcputation will con-
fer with lab leaders