New-York tribune., 1918-01-08
Methodist Temperance Board
Brands Our Army as Drunken
Continued from page l

this war it established Commission
on Training Camp Activities, with
raymond ID. Fosdlck at its head. Upon
th's commission WAS laid the respon-
slbll!ty of directing the government
against the evils of drink and vice as
they might assail the troops. Under
the wise provisions of Congress and
the administrative measures taken, in
adequate though admirable canton
ments We're established under condi-
tions which were the wonder of the
nation. In the prohibition states alco-
mol and immortality were reduced to
negligible factors. Even in the wet
states splendid results were achieved.
The health of the men under most
trying conditions was all that could
be expected Their training pro-
Gressed rapidly. their strength was
maintained at the maximum The
purpose, their will to victory became
glory to the nation.
'Dry Army in Training
We had dry army in training. The
achievement of the government unde,
the leadership OF Mr.. Fosdck was be-
yond praise.
But, when the great gray trans-
ports crossed the seas, when efficiency
and sobrlety. strength. health and man
hood counted for ten times as much as
they did during the weeks of prelimi-
nary training at home, we threw those
same boys into the waiting arms OF
wine sellers and harlots! A more con-
summate piece of asninity has not
been afforded this present generation.
What accounts for it? The answer
seems simple.
"ln conversation with Mr.. Fosdick
when the camps were being prepared,
he said, DO not fear for the boys when
they go abroad; by diplomatic repre-
sentation and other means, we will give
them the same protection there they
are to receive in the United States
But Fosdick, we'll intentioned and we'll
informed on some matters, was unin-
formed on the alcohol question.
The Council of National Defence has
medical section which is corps
d'elite from the physicians of the couu-
try. He might have consulted them
The council has committee on alcohol,
which would have informed him with
disnterested accuracy. He might have
geon general, whose opinion of drink
is we'll known. He might have consulte. 4
him.
There was another man available for
consultation The United States Brew
ers' Association, which has been respon-
sible for three-fourths of the pro-Gcr-
man deviltry in this country. has an all
round handy man in the person of John
koren. Koren is a man of much learn
ing and many honors. The brewers see
TO 1T that he is present in conventions
where the alcohol question may be
brought up, that he is a member of
societies that might become arrayed
against beer They use him to secure
publication of 2nti-proh ibition articles
in magazines. and always he writes from
the viewpoint OF the man unattached to
either side of tho liquor controversy
the standpoint Of the impartial OBJ
server
"In this guisc he approaches public
men who can be misled to the ad-
vantage of the brewers, and he whis-
pers in their ears that the prohibition
lists are sincere but idealistic, that beer
and wine are harmless. AS matter Of
TACT there is evidence that Korcn is q
regular for the brewers and is in no
sense disinterested impartial or unpro
fessional in his activities in their
behalf.
This man has been in Washington
and the brewers have apparently set
him upon the trail Of Fosdick.
"Io-day Fosdick, the man who was
to protect our troops wherever they go
the man who started right seems tc
be under the thumb Of koren. He says
that hard liquors should be kept from
the soldiers, but that anything up te
20 per cent is harmless Twenty
three per cent wine is just about as
harmless as Rough on Rats. 1t is i'm
possible to secure wine containin.
more than II per cent alcohol by nat
ural fermentation.
Medical Opinion "Floutcd"
"The present attitude of the govern
ment toward drinking abroad fiouts tn,
expressed opinion of the American
Medical Association. houts the medi
section of the Council of National De
fence, nouts the committee on alcoho
of that body. fiouts the experience O
the surgeon general, houts the lesson,
OF prohibition as affecting the canton
ments at home, hurls contempt upo,
Congressional action in response t,
public sentiment, and spits contumel,
upon the fierce mother-love of lnillion
upon millions of watching women.
"Thc United States is showing les
regard for the welfare of its troops il