The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-04-01
INV Wilbur S. Forrest, United Press
StafY Correspondent

lBy Wilbur S. Forrest, United Press
STAFF Correspondent
LONDON, April 1.-England is very
close to prohibition today. King
Georges letter to Lloyd George has
given the prohibition movement a
tremendous boost. There is every in
dication that the nation will give the
cabinet loyal support II it concludes
that dry England is necessary for
successful prosecution of the war.
AT the same time dispatches received
here from Amsterdam indicate that
Germany, too, is putting the throttle
on the liquor business. The German
federal council, it is reported, has
passed an order permitting the author
tiles of each state at their discretion
to limit or absolutely to prohibit the
sale OF intoxicating liquors.
Government leaders frankly admit
ted today that they are not concerning
themselves with the possible moral
effects Of prohibition on Great Brit
ain. They are considering the ques-
tion purely from an economic stand
point They believe that the country
actually will gain financially through
a shortening Of the war by more eff
fic4ent work In the factories prod lcs
ing war supplies. They believe this
gain will more than Offset any loss in
revenue from the liquor business and
the amount 1t Is certain the goverIi-
ment will pay to the liquor men in
compensation II their business is
wiped out.
The London newspapers which for
the most part, are agreeing unanimous
ly that drastic steps must be taken,
today gave prominent display to al
official statement from Petrograd, rep
resenting a remarkable increase of
deposits in Russian savings bank since
the government placed the ban on
vodka. In February, 1915, $22, 800. 900
was added to the deposits In state
savings banks. In the same month
last year, when the peasants were
free to drink vodka. only 100000 was
deposited.
The newspapers reported today that
Wholesale and retail dealers all over
the country already are swamped with
orders from persons who are salts
fed that the prohibition order is about
to be put in effect. They also report
ed that labor leaders would give the
government enthusiastic support II
Great Britain is made dry.
Responsible trade union officials
are with the government In this mat
ter said the labor correspondent of
the News. If Lloyd George can show
that drink is impeding affairs, then
they will approve whatever measures
will stop the evil.
Lord Kitchener is the first man OF
prominence in England to respond to
King Georges suggestion of total
abstinence from liquors. The British
war leader announced through the
press today that so long as the war
lasts, no liquor will be served in his
household. Similar announcements,
It Is understood, will be made by cab
met members to inaugurate move
ment to obtain abstinence pledges
from prominent persons all over the
country.
The kings appeal had most 80
markable effect at Glasgow. accord
Ing to dispatches received here this
afternoon. The Glasgow ship yard
workers comprise probably the hardest
drinking community in Great Britain.
Today the Glasgow laborers were re-
ported to be stunning the bar rooms
by concerted agreement in response to