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

temperance and immortality. This
fact has been strongly emphasized in
the United States. and General Perish
ing has strongly emphasized 1t in Eu-
rope. and whatever action Is neces-
sary to maintain this high standard
in the army should be taken without
regard to the standards in other
countries.
The officers and men of the navy
now, in European waters. when not
on a ship, are subject to no restriction
whatever as to the purchase or ac-
ceptance OF any kind of intoxicating
liquors, and among them there seems
to be more drinking and drunkenness
in proportion to the numbers than
there are in the army, this being es-
pecially true when the sailors are on
leave for several days. The amend
ing at once of general order No. II,
striking out the exemption as to light
wines and beer, so that the purchase,
or acceptance as gift. or the posses
sion of any kind of intoxicating liq-
uors shall be prohibited. and making
il applicable to the navy, would ac-
complish three things:
First 1t would establish immedi-
ately by military and naval order
the same standard in the army and
navy in Europe that has been estab-
lished by Congressional action for the
camps and naval stations in the
United States, and would show d con-
sistent attitude on this great question.
and not an attitude determined by the
attitude and habits of other nations.
II would emphasize the position of
America that she desires her soldiers
and sailors to be clean and sober
when they are fighting for Righteous
ness, Justice and Truth. 1t would be
the most practical and effective way
TO give the same protection to our
soldiers and sailors abroad as at
home.
Second. II would necessarily effec-
lively remove the impression which
at present prevails among many sol
diers and civilians of a semi official
approval OF the French drinking
habits and would prevent the fotma-
ton OF drinking habits by many young
men who are now drinking wine and
beer because they think their supe
rior officers do so themselves, and ap-
prove il in others.
Third IT would greatly lessen the
drinking OF strong liquors. especially
brandies containing more than IL per
cent OF alcohol. which could no longer
be bought as they are now. under
cover OF the permission TO buy wine
or beer.
In short such AN order sweepinsiy
inclusive of ali kinds OF Intoxicating
liquors. could be more effectively en-
forced than the present order No. II,
and would produce far better practical
results while at the same time 1t
would maintain the same standard at
home and abroad.
In the event that such action should
he deemed too sweeping to be made
. - D. ,,F u no 1s1Ar t1 a.
ing officers. or in the event of di-
vision of opinion concerning 1t, the
question should be brought at once
to Congress, that the representative
of the people may decide whether the
standard which has been adopted for
the army and navy at home with
such gratifying results shah be adopt
ed for the same men when they leave
home for the field Of battle
This question should be promptly
acted upon ty those charged with the
conduct of the war. or by Congress,
either separately, or following up
and transmitting military and naval
laws into statute laws OF the United
States.
without being cognizant that Cen
eral Pershing had presented his re-
quest already referred 10 under date
Of February 3. 1918, to the British
authorities the commissioners short
~ after their arrival in London sought
with the members OF the
British government charged with the
control Of the liquor traffic. and the
American Ambassador arranged for
an interview with jor Waldorf
Astor, who. while Of American birth
is now an English citizen. member
of Parliament from Plymouth. and
also a member Of the Liquor Control /
Board. The commissioners are un-
der great obligations to Major Astor /,
and to Mrs Aston, also a native of /
the United States. not only for many
coui tesies. but for the exceedingly I
valuable aid given them in the per
formancc of their duties In two long
Major Aston gave the !
commissioners very full and helpful |
Information concerning drink condi- |
tons in Great Britain. and in con-
junction with the America Ambassa- |
dor he arranged for conferences with |
Lord Rhondda, the Minister OF Food, !
and with Lord D'Abernon, Chairman !
IF the Liquor Control Board
The conferences with these mem
bers of the British government were |
by frankness and a ,
attitude toward the /
American viewpoint. and by an evil |
dent desire to do whatever might be !
deemed necessary to meet the wishe on /