The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1917-01-05
Warning Nations Do
Not Want Prohibition
Europe Al'ows - ssP5iars
Ration OF Wine and Seer

IN impression has qoined wide
ground. doubtless through gedplous
cpluRa'ion, tbat Europe Is turning &c
prohibition of liquor, having been led
TO this step because OF The situation
created by the great war. Like many
another hasty impression, however,
this proves upon examination TO be
far from the truth. 1t was TO be ex-
peeted that the nations engaged IN
the life and death struggle would be
compelled to adopt stringent regula-
tions, which would affect social OBJ
servanees in many respects but with
the exception of Russia meme Of them
has enforced measures which even re-
motely suggest the prohibition of
alcoholic beverages.
Even Russia, though proclaimed as
such, is decidedly net a prohibition
country. At the outbreak oil the war,
moved by the recollection Of the
drunkenness, which so impaired the
morale OF the troops in the early
stages of the conflict with Japan, the
Russian Government relinquished it's
monopoly of the sale of vodka, and
forbade the manufacture and sale of
this and any other sort of distilled
liquor. There was NO attempt on the
part Of the Imperial authorities to
prevent the use of light wines and
beer and these were sold rs usual
throughout the Empire, except in
such districts or municipalities as
prohibited them, under q local option
system. 4 recent bill Of the Duma,
which gives the popular assent to the
reseI.pt or decree of the Gar, in pro-
hibiting ardent spirits, expressly ex-
emptS from tho ban, beverages con-
tanning not more than 10 per cent. of
alcohol, which would, of course, in
ciude beer, and practically all natural
u11oItiiied wines.
Great Britain, having divers objects
to accomplish, placed the entire mat
ter OF liquor REGULATION in the hands
Board. This body has taken over
number of distilleries for the purpose
or preserving an adequate supply of
alcohol for ammunition purposes, and
has established its authority over
wide areas, closing public houses
where there seemed to be too many
for legitimate trade, particularly in
the neighborhood of munition plants.
1t hes also promulgated regulations
as - hours when liquors can be sold,
forbidding treating" and the like.
The British soldiers and sailors have
regular rations of rum which are
committed into beer when the facil-
tiles Of transportation permit.
France hes forbidden Tire manufac-
ture and sale OF absinthe, which, as
many know, not onl- contains a very
large percentage. Of alcohol, but also
contains distinctly toxic elements.
Size has also laid heavy taxes and
rather drastic restrictions on cordials
or lqueUrs, which are heavily alco-
noiic, but except for taxing for reve-
rue purposes, has not interfered in
any way with wines, elders, beer and
perry. The latter are officially classed
IS "hvgienic drinks" and are not re-
garded IS alcoholics. Wine IS regular
l. served as a ration IL the French
army.
Germanv's restrictions on alcoholics
reflect simply the need of revenue and
the necessity of conserving the grain
supply. An elaborate department of
government has been organized since
the war, which is concerned solely
with The gathering, transportation
and distribution OF the beer for the
fighting men of the country. So firmly
IS the opinion held that beer is a
necessary part of the soldiers ration,
that % per cent. Of the output of the
hrsweries IS reouisitioned for the men
1T tho front.-From The Gallo Amer-
icon, Dee D, 1915.
Publication authorised bv the
Indiana Brelcers' association.
We know Of a number of families who
are regular readers Of the Courier tut
are net subscribers, they borrow the IA
per from their neighboss. We are gal