The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-24
FOR VICTORY


One of the outstanding features of our
lwar program is breadth of vision which
looks to the days of peace, when the world
shall have been made safe for Democracy,
and Our armies return to civilian lite
whence they sprung.
This care this regard for the men who
must sooner or later step out OF the
trenches, and use their influence in guild
ing the nation safely through the vast re-
arrangement incident to the closing of
such stupendous struggle, is evident on
all sides.
Through civilian and sen1i-offlcial organ
izations, as well as by direct legislation,
the moral, physical and mental welfare of
the men is being safeguarded. From
viewpoint of efficiency it would be difficult
to determine which Of the three qualities
is most essential, because of the effect Of
the moral and mental on the physical, and
conversely.
One of the first steps taken in this direc
ton was the prohibition Of the sale of in
toxicantS to men wearing the uniform OF
the United States. Prohibition, as pol
icy of government, does not enter into the
question, which resolves itself simply into
one concerning the strength Of the military
force of this country, and the future well
fare of the men who make up those forces.
For the vast majority of men in the
service these regulations are entirely un-
necessary, just they in civil life for
the majority of citizens But, unfortunate
ly, on every hand in every walk of life,
whether civil or military, there are found
men who cannot resist temptation when it
is presented to them Consequently, in
many cases, the innocent must suffer for
the acts of others.
There is nothing to be gained by mine
ing words, for it is common knowledge
that the law which prohibits the sale of in
toxicants to men of the service is being
violated in Pensacola. Blame for this
condition does not rest solely with officials
entrusted with the enforcement of the law,
for it is a most difficult task. and even
when brought to court, it is difficult to con-
vict the offenders because the division of
authority precludes in many cases the
summoning> of service men as witnesses.
: Where violations increase, and an evil
becomes aggravated. an aroused public
: opinion is of greatest assistance to the
authorities IN enforcing the law. Condi
tons in Pensacola make it imperative for
: every Pensacdian to realize the necessity
OF cooperating with the federal, county,
and city authorities in the suppression of
this traffic. 1t is not partisan issue, it is
the law, and such demands the support
OF every laW-abldlng American. Further
more 1t is a war-meaSure, and upon 1t. de
Pends to a degree. our success or failure in
. the titanic task to which we have dedi-
. Gated ourselves
Unless this law is enforced in Pensacola
it may be necessary for the army and navy
officials here to adopt stringent regula
tons, and curtail the liberties of all of the
men because of the refusal of citizens to
cooperate in protecting the few who can
not protect themselves. Aside from being
tremendous inconvenience to the men
thus confined it would be a very real loss
to many Pnsacolians who have cemented
firm friendships among them. and from a
purely selfish standpoint serious financial
loss to the merchants
= With Pensacolians rests the decision.
ID