The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-02
SHALL THE MIGHT
OF THE LIQUOR MILLIONS
TRAMPIE RIGHT UNDERFOOT?

SHALL IhE MIGHT
OF THE LIQUOR MILLIONS
TRAMPIE RIGHT UNDERFOoT?
Shall the handful of men who have already
amassed huge fortunes out of the liquor traffic.
dominate legislation at a crisis like this?
Ten plain Questions to Mr.. Asquith and
the Cabinet.
/. II the lives of our Empires finest man
hood are not too precious to be spared in the
campaign against Germany. is Intoxicating drink
too precious TO be spared?
.. Do you consider that the cleveriy- veilcd
opposition to the total suspension OF intoxicants
for the period of the is inspired by feelings
OF patrfotism--or by the unqualified selfishness
or men who, for their pockets sake, or for their
appettes sake, want to the drink 60 on.
in spite of the emphatic warnings of Mr.. Lloyd
George and Lord Kitchener that it is helping
to drag out the war-at cost 10 the country
OF two millions sterling day, well as heavy
toll of lives that never be replaced?
5. We went to with Germany because
she said might was right, and trampied Belgium
underfoot. Do yon propose to allow the might of
the liquor millions to trample right under foot
Do you propose to allow a handful of men who
have already arnassed huge fortunes out of the
liquor traffic TO dominate legislation at a crisis
like this-to jcopardise the destiny of England
in order that their accumulation of gold shall
so on undisturbed, whilst millions of our best
men are throwing their all into the balance?
Why handy words with these men when the
King. the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the
Minister for War have pointed out your duty
clearly and plainly?
A. Are you banking upon the good influence
of the Kings magnificent lead in voluntarily
stopping intoxicants during the war to check
the serious delay in drink is causing in the man
ufacture OF war material? Granting that his
Majestys noble example will be promptly fol-
lowed by every loyal subject who has command
of himself do you seriously suggest that the
small majority of working men who are slaves
to drink will attempt to fight down their weak
ness and abstain from intoxicants because the
King has done SO?
8. IL the full strength of the nation is Inn
porative to crush German militarism why do
you tolerate the traffic in intoxicants which the
recent Shipbuilders Deputation to the Chances-
Tor of the 'EXchequer accused of being RESPONSE
bic for so per cent of the avoidabIe waste of
time amongst workmen. and which have beer
shown to reduce efficiency in the marksr,an-
ship of soldiers and in naval s11nnery bv 40 TO
SO per cent?
6. Do you seriously believe that shorter
hours OF opening. higher taxation and similar
half measures, will deal effectively with the
drink evil. knowing. you surely must that
it is human nature to crave the more for the
thing that is made harder to reach? Do you
expect working men with n craving for drink
to stay in district where 1t Is banned when
they are free to journey TO- places where thss,
can satisfy their appettese
7. Which would present the greatest diff
culty-the rebuilding Of the liquor trade after
the war. il suspended in the meantime or the
rebuilding of the British nation and the re-
esta blishment OF British prestige If our cause
should be lost through your lack of promptness
and firmness in dealing with the liquor menace I?
8. Is it possible that interested parties have
led YOU believe that the finding of suitable
employment for those who would be out of
work by the suspension of intoxicants is r real
difficulty, notwithstanding your costly adver-
Using for recruits. your registration of women
workers and your appeals for every avail
nh la 10 hal In he ,rf;O
tera1o
.. Since the best men among have cheer
fully sacrificed the comfort and security of their
homes for the wretchedness and peril of the
trenches-snce mothers have given us their
sons and wives their husbands, can you serious
ly doubt for moment that the country is
ready to sacrifice intoxicating drink cheerfully
in order that the irresistible temptation to idle
away precious time NAV be removed from the
few workpeople who holding up the pro-
duction OF war material? When heavy in
come tax was levied 1t without murrnur.
Were we asked to walk barefooted in the road
way help the boys in the trenches we would
do II willingly and gladly'-At what do you
value patriotism IN hesitating to call upon
us to sacrifice our drink
10. Are you that a plnbiscite on the
question of the suspicion of drink during the
war has Just been taken in Inverness the result
showing SCAT in favor OF suspension and 500
against? In view of this will you not go to the
country on this vital question If you still stand
unconvinced that total suspension during the
war is the only solution possible?
To the Public.
Are we afraid of the enemy drink which Mr..
Lloyd George has declared to be more terrible
than Germany or Austria? Are to tolerate
the traitorous work X is doing every hour In
midst-more dangerous work than all the
German spies and all the German submarines?
Shall II be said OF England for whom our faith
ers gave their blood. that she ieopardsed her
own cause and that of the Allies who trusted
her WELL by mere panderine TO an appetite? p
Half measures are farce. Nothing short of
total suspension of tntoxicants during the war
can quick and complete victory. No
quarter to the enemy
Every man or woman asked to write or send
this pledge to Mr.. Asauith Do your bit-send
I'm thls coupon today .->-w
TO the Right Honorable r. IT, Asquith
Downing Street, London. S. W.
I entirely in favor OF the suspension of the
manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors
during the war. which consider imperative for