New-York tribune., 1918-05-09
The Virilc
Beer Bred Germans

Professor Fisher attempts to draw
from The war lesson favorable to his
prohibition argument. but he is evil
IDENTIFY blind to one Of the most strik-
ing lessons of the great conflict
namely, that the German people have
not been set back or visibly impaired
by their universal use of wine and
beer. Deplorable as we must regard
their cause, what party to the great
struggle surpasses them in physical
strength, in spiritual fibre, in moral
hardihood and resolution2 In point of
valor, virilty and stamina, this beer
and-wine bred race is not outclassed
by any of the warning peoples. ] grant
Professor Fisher that teetotally alb
staining army might do wonders
might wipe out the records of Hanni-
bal and Caesar and Napoleon-but such
an army (omitting the Turk from con-
sideration) has never been placed in
the field. And | venture the prediction
that it will not be by such an army
that we shall surely win this war!
The prohihitionist paints a gloom
full, shuddering picture of the evils
ing countries of Europe-France, Italy
and Spain=a picture that is repugnant
to common sense, while it is contra
dicted by the best literary and scien-
tific authorities, and by authentic tcs
timony of every description. "No ma
tion is drunken whore wine is chean,"
said Thomas jefferson. Thrift is the
leading virtue of the French people;
IT does not marry with drunkenness.
Sobrietv is the mark Of the Italian i'm
migrant, whose strong arms are now
Nurtured on the rude but wholesome
wine Of his country, he sturdly en-
counters labor which the native Ameri-
can is glad to decline.
That France cut out absinthe proves
nothing for prohibition, though the
average prohibitonist-I do not say
Professor Fisher-seems to be of the
notion that it potentially settled the
whole drink question. France is for
use, not abuse, of every good thing in
life. Absinthe was too easily. abused,
get that the green terror" had a
specially toxic effect which made it
drug rather than drink. 1t is not to
be classed with the harmless fermcnted
beverages like the wines of France,
which are its glory and pride
Finally, as to Russia: 1t is little
carly yet to attempt to settle the cause
or causes of that great nations col
lapse in the war; but contributory facts
may De pointed out, ana among theSe
surely none was moro fatally effective
than the prohibition of vodka, the
favorite drink of the Russian peasant
"a last word on the scientific areu-
ment against drink, which justly has
great weight in the mouth of Profess
sor Fisher. But this eminent scholar
must know perfectly we'll that science
has returned no authoritative and
sweeping verdict against alcohol; he
must know that scientific men are di-
vided into two hostile camps on the
subject and that sentiment more than
science dictates the position of those
who condemn unreservedly the use of
alcoholic drink. 1t is. indeed, case
where the doctors differ" as numerous
and imposing list of authorities can
be cited for the one side as for the
other. The judgment which he quotes
is that of the extreme anti alcoho lists;
it would not be affirmed by many scien-
tific men who have no personal predi-
lection for the drink side.