The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-03
All Great Britain IL Shaken
by Agitation for Pro-
hibitiOn.
SUPPLIES HIDDEN
AGAINST ."FAMINE"
special Cob,, Despatch 10 THr srS

ing the military operations.
The Government Is still allowing time
for public opinion to declare itself on
the drink problem. and the public is
availing itself OF the opportunity TO the
utmost. The newspapers TEEN with
letters urging various schemes. and
editorial discussion continues to be
lively.
The Spectator is among the most
prominent supporters OF total prohib
ton. while the Times leads the anti
prohibitionists. This division Of opinion
does not imply any lack OF belief In
the necessity of dealing with the problem
and dealing with II effectually. but. as
the Times remarks. the problem itself
Is In danger OF disappearing In a cloud
OF controversial dust raised around the
age long subject OF drink. It !, a aues-
r,en in certain definite localities. and to
identify this limited evil with the whole
question OF the liquor traffic is 10 view
II out of proportion
Total prohibition" the Times con-
tl0ueS. Us OUT VI pltppINI' WA Niie
object. This might not be a conclusive
objection IL the measure were certain
to succeed. but when success IL urcer-
tain IL Is a very serious objection"
The Times adds: Total prohibition
would deal severe economic blow 10
France when she can Ill stand such a
blow. II also would severely hit Aus
tralia. whose wines have a great sale in
Great Britain. while the ruin OF tire
home industry would throw thousands
out Of work"
The Times urges total prohibition OF
the traffic In spirits. leaving other liquors
alone. II expresses the opinion that
this is more effective and more feasible
than any other plan and also Is anal
ogous to the steps taken In Russia and
France.
The Daily MaH In opposing total pro-
hibition advocates a prohibitive tax on
spirits and strong beer. compelling the
use OF liquors containing b low percent
age Of alcohol
The Right Hon. Robert Farquharson,
surgeon and we'll known medical writer,
writes to the Times recalling an inn
portaut authoritative British inquiry
into the liquor question In the United
States twenty years ago. He says
THE results embo.iled In An exhaus-
tive report were most unfavorable to
total prohibition. Not only WAS little
or TO effect produced on drunkenness
but the ingenuity OF an exceptionally
clever people was only too successfully
directed 10 evading the regulations de-
vised by the State.
Dr. Farquharson adds
9TH. absolute exclusion OF stimulants
from the dietary of any country must
always he in advance OF its public
opinion, for every nation, civilized Or
savage. has always invented some form
of modest qusnchcr and those who wear
the blue ribbon of a drinklcss life have
always been subject races"
Men Of note sigs Manifesto.
4 long manifesto signed by number
OF very pomineut people. not crsnks.
has just been issued II urges that
while total prohibition is impractcable
IN Great Britain even under the impetus
OF the present question. there IL "A great
opportunity Of dealing with intemper'
ance by the curtailment Of hours in
which the public houses may remain
open and reducing the number of Ii
censes. The manifesto submits a scheme
which includes compensation Of the
/ liquor interests.
While no decision is expected until
the Cabinet meets again after Easter
the present indications are that the
bulk OF public opinion regards total pro-
addition as unnecessary, and. In view
/ Of this. it can hardly b. supposed the
Government will take such a meas
ure In the meantime part of the sta
,istics on which Chancellor Of thc
Excheuuer Lloyd George based his
statement are published In the Times
! Tho pay sheets for one week in Ma rch
al one of the most important yards on
the Tyneside show a difference of 1854
| hours between the possible working
hours and the hours actually worked
| Eight classes OF workmen are sched'
uled The greatest number of hours
! lost was by platers, riveters and drill
! ers.
Public opinion is divided between IA
voring total prohibition and favorins
! stringent control OF the liquor traffic
close observers Of politics and stu
dents of history admit that " prohibition
comes II will be the biggest shock eve
/ felt in this country. The Norman con
quest. the York-I.ancaster civil war an,
| the drastic dictatorship OF Cromwell vii
bear no comparison to It.
Wine and beer are already belnl
| hidden in large quantities. Beer II
being buried in back yards. hidden IL
attlcs. slowed under coal cellars anC
!
suburban gardener Is getting suddei
orders to cancel plans to use the Sc
questered patch for a lettuce crop II,
is told to have trenches dug by II
i, NJ. and then TO go home to bed
When he comes in the morning he tind
the ground smooth again and mes
sage from the master that II he Is OBJ
served conducting agricultural opera
tons In that truck patch he will b,
! discharged
Full page advertisements appear II
several of the newspapers this morn
Ing with petitions which readers ar,
requested to cut out and send TO Chan
cellor Lloyd George. The petitions read
am entirely in favor OF the sus.
pension If the manufacture and sale
of intoxicating liquors during the
war, which ! consider imperative for
a quick and successful termination
OF the war. I shall heartily sup
port the Government in any such
measure.
While the public Is divided il is be
lieved that the Cabinet favors tota
prohibition for the duration az the war
The Government under the defence %
the realm act has the power to enforc,
such Il measure II II deems best with
out any further enabling legislation.