Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-08-15
FRANCE is DEAL SEVERE
BLOW BY U. S. DECIDING
TO DANISH BOOZE
CONTINUED From Page nne.)

The following exposition of the French
governments view of the matter:
'French viniculture and the ex-
portation trade in vinous products are
sadly affected by the successive pro-
hibition measures taken in the United
States since August 10. 1917. The laws
OF that date and of October 8. 1917,
already had grave consequences for
france, inasmuch as universally re-
nowned products like cognac and
armagnac brandies and other fine
liquors. could no longer enter Ameri-
can territory.
But the day when the United
states accepted an amendment to the
constitution absolutely prohibiting all
beverages deemed intoxicating in
GLIDING wine and beer, it was gem
orally felt that such a measure was
excessive and could not be applied
for long time to come,
Bitter Blow to France.
That, under the guise of wartime
prohibition, il has actually taken eff
feet in partial form is bitter blow
TO France. 1t was desired. we under
stood, to fight against alcoholism, or
drunkenness. and therefore it was
mented beverages. But IN our eyes
alcoholism cannot develop from the
consumption of wine. Wine is con-
sumed in France by the entire popu-
lation, and it is particularly in the
vineyard sections that alcoholism is
practically unknown. In the opinion
of authorities best qualified to know
whereof they speak, wine is an anti
dote to alcoholism
I'm any event. how can it be all
legged for an instant that the con-
sumption of French wines in the
United States is a cause of alcoholism
in that country? We ship thither
only choice products champagne,
claret, burgundy. liquers-which are
certainly not consumed by the mass
of workers, but by the wealthy,
ut is unnecessary to eulogize the
wine of France. Your heroic soldiers
who fought by the side of our poilus
will be the first to testify. on return
ing to their homes, the worth of
beverage the flavor bouquet and
body of which they have come to APP
preciate so generously.
Tends to Unfriendliness.
Following another order Of ideas,
French folk are obliged to ask them
SGlNtS WHelileG lIle udHldSe uOnG ny
prohibition to our trade is not a mega
ton of the role America is so warm
heartedly DESTROYS of playing in bring,
ing to France, exhausted by years of
struggle, all reasonable economic aid
1T is inconceivable that the Ameri-
can congress has been able to measure
the repercussion which its action will
have uDon France. both from the eco
nomic and moral viewpoint-for many
of our people are bound to consider it
development tending to weaken the
friendship they entertain for the peo-
pie of the United States.
ALREADY our wine growers and ex-
porters have suffered loss approach
ing $20,000,000 through the ban on.
the importation of wines imposed by
your wartime prohibition measures
alone. And this at a time when France
is crushed beneath a burden of war
costs it will require many years of the
most incessant toll to pay off.
''All we can do is to hope that the
United States will renounce her inten-
ton of becoming dry and that by
new legislative enactments the gates
of the union will once more be opened
wide to the wines of France"