The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-04-05
PROHIBITION
FINDS FOE
Premier Asquith Is Opposed,
Says 1t Is Imprac-
tical
CHANCELLOR SEEKS
OPINION OF PUBLIC
Asquith Favors Sunday
Closing and Shorter Hours
on Week Days

London. April Sit is really hardly
an exaggeration to say that last Wednes
day shudder ran from one end of the
British Isles to the other: On that day
people read accounts of Lloyd Georges
meeting with the shipowners and for the
first time realized that the chancellor OF
the exrhequer's famous Bangor speech
followed by Lord Kitchener's stern warn
ing, meant that the government was Sc
riously considering total prohibition, both
of the sale and the consumption of in
toxicating liquors.
/ Practically at a moments notice this
country has plunged, one might almost
say cheerfully, into the most terrific war
of its history, whole heartedly support
| ing the government, which itself had but
the shortest time to consider such mo-
mentous question.
Problem Puzzles Government.
But the question was settled promptly
and it would be absurd to say that any
thing like doubt or anxiety affected She
public mind or the government since the
war began until both were faced with
the question-"to drink or not to drink"
This question has been under considera-
ton by the government far longer than
was the question of ito fight or not to
fight but it finds greater difficulty in
answering it. No decision has yet been
made or. at all events, none has been
announced.
Everyone knows or believes the chan
cellor of the exchequer is convinced that
prohibition is the best course. The let.
ter of the king and the announcement OF
Lord Kitchener may be regarded as an en-
dorsement of his opinion. But total pro-
hibition is a question that may well give
cause to the strongest government and
the most powerful and the most popular
OF individuals that ever ruled the British
isles.
Fifteen thousand letters expressing va
rious views on the liquor question reached
mornings mail. The days letters on |
this subject probably numbered $4,000 in
all. The chancellor has caused TO be |
published in the newspapers a full page
appeal urging all citizens to write their
views on the prohibition issue.
Must Be Universal Prohibition.
IL is recognized that prohibition II
applied must be- universal. Hotels, res.
taursnts. saloons and clubs of all sorts
must be included and even private eel.
lars must be sealed.
The whiskey and soda devotees, who
On "Wednesday morning deluged the wine
and spirits merchants with orders. as
they have been doing ever since. will find
z.
But in spite of the conviction of men
best able 10 judge, il looks at present
~ IL the government will refuse TO Is
tabish prohibition but will seek safety
by imposing a further restriction in the
hours when drinks are salable.
Ia spite OF the pledges made by the
ling. Lord Kitchener and LLOYD George.
here has not been really remarkable [
1ish of prominent persons in favor OF
otal prohibition. In most striking {
Ippeal Premier Asquith admits that to- /
al prohibition Is unpracticable even at ,
be present time, but he pleads for com /
,ulsory Sunday closing Of all public .
Iouses with uniform rigorous curtsilment ,
n other days. 4
This appeal has been signed BY some !
hundreds Of representative people, among
hem physicians such a. Sir lauder Br'in.
on. Sir Frederick Trevor and Sir A. CO.
an Doyle, bishops, leading educators,
nen active in all the churches. repre-
figures in science. literature
nd art. such a. Sir William Ramsay
nd Sir W. b. Richmond. Mrs. Hum
hrey Ward and Lucy Kemp WEIGH; royal !,
cademicians and business men. such as :
ir William N. Lever Sir =. Hutchinson =
nd Sir Albert Spicerl social workers. \
nch a. the dutehess 81 Bedford. LADY !
iattersea and LADY ~ Heller. With !,
ady JeIlicoe and Lady French. wife Of :,
he admiral and the field marshal. resoee.
velys chancellors and principals Of a,
cotch universities. !.