The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1915-04-08
THE FIGHT AGAINST ALCOHOL.

THE FIGHT AGAINST ALCOHOL.
Along with, and partly because OF, the
nresent war there has developed the most
VIGOROUS and what promises to be the most
effective campaign against alcohol which
the world has ever seen. The intensity OF
the great struggle for national existence,
the vastness of the interests involved, and
the vital nature of the struggle, have
brought out into boldest relief the real ma
ture of the liquor traffic, and have demon
strated with remarkable clearness the fact
that that traffic is essentially unpatrlotlc
and is the ablest ally of nations foes.
Promptly upon the outbreak OF the war
Russia ostracized the traffic in vodka, and
the results of that most radical step have
been so marvellous that it seems probable
Russia will never again be persuaded to
tolerate the traffic, which while pretending
to enrich the State does so only by de-
bauching the people, and at a financial loss
out of all proportion to the revenue re-
ceived.
France, also, at the beginning of the war
forbade the sale of absinthe and similar
liquors during the war, and the result was
so favorable that the temporary prohibition
has been made permanent. Not only so,
but further decree has been issued that,
unless under exceptional circumstances, no
more licenses shall be issued for the sale of
any spirituous liquors. The French Acad-
envy of Science is now carrying on cam
paign to still further restrict the traffic in
intoxcants. In a recent address M. Rel
mach, the well-known publicist, declared
for radical and complete suppression Of all
spirituous drinks, and also for the suppress
sion of all private distilleries. France is
evidently moving towards prohibition.
Britain, unfortunately, has been much
slower to move in this matter, and during
the present war the Government has con-
tracted for over 500,O gallons of rum for
the use Of the soldiers and more than half
of this has already been sent to France.
The plea is that this is really medicinal
supply, and that it is an absolute necessity
to the soldiers as protection against cold
and dampness. Sir Victor Horsley, speak
ing on behalf of the Army Medical Corps,
demonstrates against this most mistaken
kindness, and says in an article in the
British Medical Journal: 81 stake my
professional reputation on my declaration
that rum causes loss of resistance to cold
and is cause of chilliness, misery, and
frost bite. 1t also causes loss of resistance
to such diseases as pneumonia, dysentery
and typhoid
And recently, Lord Kitchener, in appeal
ing to the nation to utilize all its abilities
and energy to produce the necessary wal
supplies, pointed out cautiously but clearly
that in some cases the temptations to drink
account for the failure to work up to the
high standard expected.
And Britain's Chancellor, Lord George
gave his opinion of the drink traffic in the
emphatic sentence that "Drink is doing
more damage to this country than all the
German submarines put together Surely
Great Britain had better listen when hel
greatest physicians, soldiers and statesmen
say the same thing and give the same
warning. 1t is too much, perhaps, to ex.
pect that Britain will be wise enough. tt
forbid the sale of intoxicants during the
war, but there can be no question that i
she did the fighting efficiency of her soldiers
and the productive capacity of her workmer
at home would be safeguarded against {
very real danger.
And in the United States, also, while W,
are moving surely and steadily, we ART
moving all too slowly in this matter for GU
own good. The traffic in intoxicants il
made a revenue producing one, and th
hides the fact from some that the traffic il
one of the heaviest financial incubuse
which nation can be asked to bear. An,
yet the trade already sees the handwriting
on the wall, and the united action of tenn
perance men and women in every Stat
has greatly curtaied the traffic, and will
we trust in the very near future. wipe
entirely out of existence.
"a ROLLING STONE GATHERS NO MOSS.