New-York tribune., 1918-01-10
Methodists Make More
Charges Of Army Drinking
Propaganda for Absolute Prohibition Is Continued Despite
Denals From General Pershing and High Officials;
Tone Is Modihed Conditions "Ameioraed
Is Statement
Is Statement

Country wide indignation and official
denial of the charges that American
troops abroad are drink-soddcn and
depraved have not served to silence the
propaganda with which the so-caled
Board Of Temperance, Prohibition and
Public Morals OF the Methodist Epis-
copal Church is flooding the country in
a fight to bar the use Of light wines
and beers by members Of the Expedi-
tionary Force in Europe, and, incl
dentally, to further the cause Of ma
tional prohibition in this country.
In yesterdays mail The Tribune re-
celyed from Washington another clip
sheet of the board, as edited by Deets
Pickett. 1t contains assorted. items on
the liquor question supplied gratis for
publications; it again hammers the al
legged drinking problem among the
troops in France, and again cites as
authority for some Of its allegations
an anonymous "lady," presumably
N1iIAilS from tudJ country.
1t will be recalled that in previ-
Gus clip sheet the board gave as one
of the authorities for the statement
that appalling" conditions, due to
drink, existed in France among the
men and officers a son of Theodore
Roosevelt Colonel Roosevelt prompt
ly and emphaticaly announced that
nothing that any one of his sons has
written him warranted such q state
ment.
Propaganda Less Sweeping
Less sensational in tone and less
sweeping in character, the latest bit of
propaganda, dated Washington, Janu-
airy Is, nevertheless renews it's publicity
concerning the troops abroad and pre-
diets an uprising" in this country un-
less beer and light wines are shut off
from our lighting men in Europe. Saws
the document:
ga letter from q lady abroad, one
who has remarkable opportunities for
observation, says:
We go home from the canteen in n
food car every night, and have to see
on both sides of the streets our reeling
friends-our own American boys
"She further states that the report
is current that eighty officers have had
to be sent home for Drunkenness
This is the work of the harmless
light vines of France.
Remember the canteen, with it's rec
ord of death. Remember after what
fashion the fathers and mothers Of
America dealt with it.
unless the wine question is settled
soon there will be an uprising over
the country that will be marked by
greater feeling than the one which
buried the canteen deep in an eternal
grave.
"Hundrcds of thousands of the boys
from prohibition states have never
tasted alcoholic liquor. Their loved
ones do not intend that they shall ac-
quire the habit while in the country's
service.
"a large majority even of the boys
from wet states are from prohibition
homes. Most of the boys from the
other Kind OF homes are still there
unfit.
Meaning in Vote in Congress
"The two-thirds majority for prohi-
bition in Congress is not meaningless.
/ The country hates this alcohol para
site which insists upon it's blood meal
even while the drum fire is rolling and
The senses must be keen for the sake
of life and liberty. America will not
tolerate stupidity or compromise in
oealing with this foe Of her sons.
I "ferhaps you think we should say
nothing about these things--thc drunk
enness among the troops. the rising
disease rate directly traceable to light
vine. But thousands of letters from
! over there are telling the truth to
the folks back home. And the public
ity agents of the liquor dealers, even
while we were silent lest harm might
be done, we're sowing broadcast over
the country pictures of American SOL
dierS boozing.
Face the issue! Stop this thing
now! Forestall the wrath of the peo
ple."
In a more moderate way the circular
continues:
"The President of the United States.
in command of the cxpeditionary
forces, the chairman of the Commits
sion on Training Camp Activities and
the French authorities are ali inter-
esting themselves in an early solution
OF the drink problem in connection
with the soldiers in France
Matter of Police Methods
1--WE feel safe in asserting that all
American authorities are agreed that
a police adjustment must be found
which will remove the drink danger
- including wine and beer - entire
ly from the American army. The
French government has stated it's
hearty desire 10 cooperate in any
way.
GAS policy seems to have been deter
mined. it becomes a matter Of police
methods. Nothing should be allowed
to induce those responsible that 1T
cannot be enforccd.' 1t can because
it must be. The welfare of the army
requires it. The morale Of American
homes from which these boys have
gone forth requires it. The popular
ity of France in America requires it
The very safety of the cause re-
quires it.
"The President can be trusted The
Secretary Of War has a heart in the
right place General Pershng is a
soldier who not only knows war. but
has his finger upon the American
pulse. There is one point to guard
DO not let the American beer trade
inspired by an economic motive. anC
with view to the dcbauching of future
opinion, create any doubt in the minc
of authority that the people want com
plete prohibition for our boys at the
front.
general Pershing has announced