The Republican journal., 1915-04-15
PROHIBITION ABROAD AND AT HOME.

seen has brought about an awakening of
prohibition sentiment throughout the
world. Especially significant is the move
ment for total abstinence in the great
nations at war. In Russia no agitation,
no legislation, was necessary. The sim
pie edict of the Gar established prohibit
ton over his vast empire with its count
less millions of people. The sale of
vodka, the national drink, was govern
ment monopoly and by abolishing its sale
Russia sacrificed an annual revenue of
$500, 900, 600. while carrying on costly
war. Yet her treasury officials when in
terviewed expressed confidence that this
deficiency will be made up by the in
creased efficiency of the people, in their
various occupations, and this was appar-
emily assured soon after the edict went
into effect by the statistics published,
which also showed a great decrease in
the number of arrests.
In Great Britain, King George, in a
letter, March 31st, to the Chancellor of
the Exchequer said SIT is without doubt
largely due to drink that we are unable
to secure the output of war material in
dispensable to meet the requirements of
the army in the field, and that there has
been such serious delay, in consequence,
of the necessary reinforcements of sup
plies to aid our gallant troops at the
'front.'" The King then offers, if it be
deemed advisable, ''to set an example by
giving up all alcoholic liquors himself
and by issuing orders against its con-
sumption in the royal households, so that
no differences shall be made, so far as
His Majesty is concerned, between the
rich and the poor in this question" April
End temperance leaders estimated that
at least $4,000 persons, ranging in sta
ton from the lowliest of laborers to
members of the peerage had forsworn
the use of alcoholic beverages during
the remainder of the war, as result of
King Georges letter promising to bar in
toxicants from the royal palace. Cabi-
net ministers, judges, diplomats, law
yers and others high in life were quick
to follow the lead set by the king.
War Secretary Kitchener was among
the first of the prominent men in Eng
land to responed to the suggestion of
a bstention from the use of alcohol con-
tanned in the letter of King George and
on April 1st issued instructions that no
alcoholic beverages be served in his
household for the duration of the war.
1--WE are fighting, Germany, Austria and
drink, and so far as can see the greatest
of these three deadly foes is drink" said
David Lloyd-George, chancellor of the
exchequer, in replying to deputation of
the Ship-building Employers Federation,
the members of which were unanimous
in urging that in order to meet the ma
tional requirements at the present time,
tn ere should be a total prohibition
during the period OF the war of the
sale of intoxicating liquors. This should
apply not only to public houses, but also
to private clubs, so as to operate equally
with all classes of the community. As
an instance of one of many similar cases,
that of battleship coming in for imme-
date repairs was cited. She was delayed
whole day through the absence of rivet
ers, who were drinking and carousing.
The stand taken by King George in re-
gard to the liquor question in Great Bri-
tain has been warmlyapproved in Canada,
In Montreal, April 1st, number of
eminent Canadians declared for restric-
ton of the use of alcoholic drinks. Dis.
patches from st John quoted Premier
Clarke of New Brunswick as saying that
his Government was considering the pro-
hipition of the use of alcohol during the
war. Premier Murray of Nova Scotia,
April LIST, assured delegation that the
Government had prohibition under con-
sideration. Saskatchewan has already
abolished the bar for the duration of the
war. Manitoba and Ontario have initial
ed restrictive legislation in regard to the
sale of liquor.
In this country also prohibition has
made great gains. In Michigan, April
5th, the ''drys" won in IA of the 16 coun-
ties voting on local option, thereby ad-
ding ten counties to Michigan's ''dry"
area and giving the State at least 43
counties without saloons. The vote
forced at least 327 saloons out of bust.
ness and added 1886, 736 to the population
of the State already in "dry" territory.
Returns from the Wisconsin election,
April 9Th, show gain for the ''Drys"
in 10 towns, while the "Wets" gained
one town. Thirty towns now wet re-
NAMED in that column. while % ''Dry"
towns remained dry. The dry forces
were victorious in most of the central
and southern Illinois cities where local
option elections were held April 9th. The