Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-05-22
FRENCH SYSTEM Of.
LIQUOR CONTROL.
IS WORKING WELL.

PARIS, May 22-The war system of
4 French liquor control encourages tenn
perance.
With strong alcoholic liquors barred
from military, naval and munition
zones by military decree, light wines
ard beer are left to normal equilibr-
ium. In fact, prohibition measures
being agitated in France, contrary to
the meaning of the word prohibition
in America, do not and will never aim
to prohibit the use of wines and beers.
They aim at the Suppression of strong
drinks containing a big percent of
alcohol.
Perhaps more bitter opposition to-
general prohibition prevails in France
than in the United States or any other
country. A we'll informed government
official told the United Press today
that prohibition of alcohol can only
come in France after fight in the
Chamber of Deputies and Senate which
will probably create worldwide atten-
ton. This fight will be waged after the
war. The strength of the liquor inter
ests was shown in the latter days of the
BRAND cabinet when the ex-Premier
branded alcohol as a menace to France
Chamber 10 grant the government ar
hitrary power to regulate this ''parti-
cularly grave question" be decree. The
Chamber refused
In addition to the millions of pers-
ons actively engaged in the liquor
trade, millions of dollars invested in 1t
and other elements, perhaps the great
est stumbling block to prohibition IS
the fight for continuance of "bouillieur
de cru"-the individual distillation OF
liquor for individual consumption. AS
the American farmer makes his hard
cider or the Kentucky ''moonshiner"
distilles his corn juice, the rural
F'renchman maintains the right to boil
down his wine and distill the essence
therefrom. He demands this right
through his representative in the
Chamber of Deputies. "Bouillieurs de
cruz is regarded as one of the greatest
evils of the liquor problem in France
and has created hot political contention
nor many years. Well informed per
~ .lo4 - will oontiDun 70 dO
so for years to come. In the meantime
prohibition advocates are steadily at
tempting to mould public opinion
around to the necessity of wiping out
the evils of strong drink in all its
forms.
But with all the agitation and meas
rres against alcohol in France, no one
hears anything said against the light
wines and beers. Wine especially, IS
an institution in France which even
time cannot effect Wine as drunk by
the French is virtually harmless. 1t is
food. Children have it from the Ia
bIes of their parents from the time
Trey are large enough to drink from a
glass. Every French household re
CARDS wine at every meal as import
ant as an American regards his water
French workmen drink on an average
of from one to two quarts day Ihey
have been doing it for centuries.
Famous paintings in the Louvre de-
Met the humble French home never
without its hottie of wine. The French
government provides every soldier AT
the front with his daily wine ration
Ii is Just as logical to think OF promo
iting afternoon tea in England as LOT
bidding wine to France, an official OF
the French government said today. Ii
will never be prohibited and no one
would dare to suggest it. Liquor Will
Re driven from France some day but II
will take years to do it.