The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-08-23
WAR PROHIBITION IS /
EXPECTED TO STAND

Spokane, Wash, Aug. 22.--In talking
to newspaper men at the Davenport
Hotel, Spokane. William Jennings
Bryan said: in answer to questions
propounded For good reasons l am
confident that wartime prohibition
will extend until Jan. is, the date Of
constitutional prohibition. The date
OF complete rehabilitation Is iadefi-
mite and demobilization will naturally
slow up as it nears the end; there are
too many tasks to be performed BY the
war department to permit of its speedy
accomplishment But I am hoping
that congress will. without delay. pass
II joint resolution extended wartime
p, ohibition to Jan. 16. I am also con-
fdent that the courts will not so con-
strue the amendment Of war prohibit
ton SO as to permit the sale of ~ per
cent beer: that is matter for congress
to decide rather than the courts. I'm
doubtedly the alcoholic content VIII be
fixed at one-half of ] per cent in any
beverage offered for sale,
IT want to predict that the world
will be dry in my time. One reason
Why feel so safe in this prediction is
because every one Of the Omaha legis-
lators In the Nebraska Legislature
voted in favor of the federal prohibit
ton amendment. without attempting
to be factetious base my prediction on
the vote Of the Omaha legislators be-
cause IL they can be weaned over and
enlisted in the ranks of the prohibit
tionists, I know the world will awake
to full realization of its RESPONSE
bility In this direction when it learns
that 100, 100000 people of the western
continent hold the torch OF prohibit
ton high in the air The nation Is TO
become the great moral force that will
bring about world prohibition. l can
always find in the Bible incidents and
language hitting into the great forward
world movements Of modern times In
olden times when Herod was dead an
angel informed Joseph and Mary that
they could safely return to the land OF
Isreal, for they are dead that sought
the young child's life" John Barley
corn, the destroyer of life and peace
and morality and prosperity. Is dead in
cur country and fathers and mothers,
sisters and brothers may Danish the
dread and fear associated with the
reign Of the destroyer and dwell here
In peace and happiness.
IT regard the league OF nations as the
longest step toward peace ever taken
by international compensation IT FUR
nishes a substitute Tor war sufficient.
think. to Justify the hope that the
world may have seen.itx.last grea. war.
1t provides for three things that must
make powerfully for peace-frst In
vestigation of all disputes before re-
sort to war, which in ITSELF will make
war almost impossible. To this are
added reduction of ornaments and the
abolition OF secret Il ~aties These
three give such an assurance of last
ing peace that our nation cannot anord
OF decline membership in the league.
/ am not in favor of secret treaties
/ am not in favor Of a separate alliance
with any country. Such an alliance
will discredit the league OF nations.
1t will proclaim a lack of faith in the
effectiveness of the league and will be
a destructive force working from
within against the perpetuity OF the
league. European nations have inter-
, ests and aspirations entirely different
from ours and we cannot AFFORD to let
| any of them decide for us when and for
| what purpose we must go to war
That question must always be decided
by our own congress when all facts
are before it and when the time comes
| for action"