The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-06-18
Amy

can forces in this country. The re-
suit of consultation is that the Board
have been informed that at present
no special measures are deemed neces-
sary by the American authorities but
the position is being closely watched
and the Board would be ready to
take appropriate action within its
power at any moment
Referring to the second point In DIR.
Cannon's letter. Lord D'Abernon said:
II venture to draw your attention to
the fact that not only is it inexpedient
for any British government to take
measures which would cause unrest
or loss of war efficiency, but further 1t
is in the last degree undesirable that
any steps should be taken which
would endanger the immense gain to
temperance Which has been achieved
during the past three years after so
many decades or even centuries of
sterile endeavor.
II desire to call your special at.
tention TO this point, as 1t is one
which | feel sure commands universal
sympathy and respect in all the tenn
perance circles in the United States
My general view is that both coun-
tries should cooperate in devising the
most appropriate measures for obtain
fciency. taking into account the diff
ferences of tradition and habit which
prevail. BY fun aad free inter
change OF communication we shall at
tain our ends more effectively than
by any cast iron similarity of treat
ment"
From these conferences with Brit.
ish officials and interviews with other
leaders OF British thought II would
st>,,F -
be made to request by the American
government that the British govern
ment through its proper administra-
tive channels prohibit the sale OF al
forms of intoxicating liquors by Eng
lish Public Houses to American sol
diers a: d sailors In Difference to the
policy of the American government
as indicated by the law forbiddine
the sale of iutoxicants to American
soldiers and sailors in any territory
controlled by the United States gov
eminent
Upon arrival in Paris ARRANGEMENTS
were made through Ambassador
sharp 10 discuss the same PROPOSE
ton with the French authorities and
an interesting conference was held
with prominent official OF the For
elgu once, While IL was not possible
to secure as clear and definite state
ments as those quoted above from
Lord D'Abernon. yet the French of
hciai was exceedingly polite and very
ANXIOUS 10 get the American view
point and stated that he was sure
the French government would do
everything possible 10 meet the wishee
or the American government
while therefore it seems probable
'nat the French government would is
sue Whatever proclamation they might
ne requested 10 make by the Amer.
can government concerning the sale
or intoNicants to American soldiers
ana sailors the proclamation would
De productive of better results II IT.
should be preceded by an order OF the
American authorities prohibiting the
purchase or the possession of all kinds
OF ihtoXieants, including light wines
and beer. by American soldiers and
sailors, thus preventing the EASY
violation Of the French order as at
present. under cover Of the sale Of
light wines and beer
III the British government should
issue the desired prohibitory order.
L would proba bly, be generally oheyed,
ior careful survey of conditions in
Great Britain indicates tremendous
strides III Prohibition legislation.
II is true that Prohibition workers
N Great Britain and in the United
states have been much disappointed
mat the government has not decreed
prohibition OF the manufacture and
sale of all intoxicanta during the
period OF the war, and at one time.
such prohibition seemed probable. IL
IS also true that from prohibition
.tandpolnt the continued waste OF
Yoosstuffs and the sale Of spirituous
liquors. which might be converted
nto alcohol for munition purposes is
without any adequate excuse. gA the
Cnited States itself is still today in
nat same attitude. and our govern
nent cannot logically criticize the
British government for it's failure 10
prohibit what is permitted in the
United States. However the discrim-
nation authorized by the British gov
eminent in favor of the brewer a. ,
against the miller by permitting the
former to pay larger price for grain
han the latter merits severe condem-
nation. But the fact that absolute
prohibition has not been secured in
Great Britain should not be permit
ed to obscure the great outstanding
acts, that during the past three years
greater progress has been made in the
,urtailment OF the drink traffic in
treat Britain than has ever been
made in The same length OF time In
'ale OF vodka was prohibited by I'm
,erial edict,- The British Liquor Con-
roi Board has issued the following
restrictive regulations which appear
o be well enforced:
The hours OF sale have been re-
iuced from 1919 per day before the
var depending on the locality to
Il hours (from noon to $50 r NJ
md hours in the evening tfrom &
o 2 p. NJ, total of 5M hours, a re-
luction of from 10 to l3 hours daily
The total amount of intoxicants per-
ntted TO be sold has been ffxed for
he year from April list, 1915, to
March 3lst, 1919. at 12is million bar
els of beer as compared with So
million barrels before the war, at Ia
million gallons of spirits as compared
With 35 million gallons before the
var.
During the year before the war the
otal amount of materials used in
'rewing was t,556,000 tons, and the
mount used in distilling for human
consumption was 100000 tons, max
ng total of l,s5S.000 tons OF ma
erials used in the manufacture of in
oxicants. During the present year
10 distillation will be permitted. and
he amount of r1afarfaI r,erp,itto1