Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-07

The supreme moment In the long
night against John Barleycorn is at
hand. crisis will be reached this
week. A word from President Wilson
would halt the liquor traffic, at least
during the war, whether that period be
one month or ten years.
But President Wilson seems to be
people. and to thus decide where his
greatest personal ACKNOWLEDGMENT lies.
There is no question of the necessity,
from every consideration, for stopping
the booze trafflc-we need the grain
now being converted into liquor; we
need in prodr ctive occupations, the
people engaged in making poison; we
need the efficiency in the army and
citizenship of the sobriety which ma
tional prohibition would bring-but the
government, we fear, wants to feel
sure which course will return the
greater number Of votes in the next
election.
That is a cold-blooded summary of
the facts at the present moment, but
powerful pressure is being brought to
bear upon the President and Congress.
I:cpc is strong that Mr. Wilson can be
persuaded to demand war prohibition
or at least, halt Of booze making for
the saving Of enormous quantities of
foodstuff now worse than wasted.
To this end. the governor OF every
State in the Onion is being urged to
directly appeal. in presence or other
wise to the national government. U.
s. senators and representatives are
being showed under by letters and tel
egrams. The elimination is reached
tonight in a meeting in Washington.
Governor Milliken of Maine figures
largely in the eliminating period be-
cause of his duties as chairman of tho
Temperance COMMITTEES Of the Federal
Council Of the Churches of Christ in
America. He is hurrying back to
Washington. despite his personal de-
sire to take part in the patriotic oo-
servances in Augusta tomorrow, and
the disappointment Of the local COM
mittee.
We regret the Governors absence
but would not have him fail to be
present in Washington this week. If
haif the state executives Of the United
states would make their presence felt
In Washington, today and tomorrow.
the battle would be won-the nation
would be saved billions of dollars in
money and volume of American
manhood that Is beyond estimate.
Let us express our patriotism to-
morrow In our own way, and rejoice in
the hope that Governor Milliken NAV
be able to do more for an American
army than all that the nation has ac-
complished thus far.
The use Of alcoholic BEVERAGES on
the part Of soldiers and sailors in mill
itary commands has long been under
military control. But the creation
now OF these military zones will IN Of
,N'u ooSH control over the
troops when they are off duty out Of
the commands.
10 race these ugly facts in an IN.
ninching and no half-hearted fash
ION. said DR.. Franklin H. Martin
member Of the advisory commission Of
inc Council Of National Defense
makes for the fighting power Of the
nation. But our troops are insepar.
ably . part Of our civil life, and a
e'san' wholesome, temperate life amono
these troops will in the end make for
our eivi Advancement, compared to
which the cost Of the war is nothinu.
The whole nation is indebted to tho
General Medical Board for it's thor.
eu9h- going research, and for its def.
mite recommendations in the matter Of
real protection to our boys"
Let us save our boys from the liquor
interests and they will save the nation
from the war lords.
The hour has arrived in which the
nation decides between the liquor
traffic and national honor; between
dollars and human life: between greed