New-York tribune., 1919-08-03
S. K. Ratclife, in The Contempo-
rdru RerHe1O


Every observer in America during
the wears Immediately before the out
break of war in Europe became aware
Of the strength and depth of the prohi-
hilton movement. The first fact which
made the ordinary man realize the i'm
pending revolution was the conversion
Of the South In that region, of
course, the governing reason was fear
Of the negro, and doubtless large
numbers OF Southern whites took for
granted that, as in other matters, the
law would in practice make prefer
entail distinction between the races.
But one important result of the change
in the South could not be overlooked.
Every additional dry state added to
the Federal strength of the prohibi-
.ionists, and when the time should
come for trial OF strength on an
amendment TO the Constitution the
TACT would be plainly declared. Hence,
before the war, the "drys" were becom-
ng confident. 1t was usual to hear
predictions, not alone from prohibition
orators like Mr.. Bryan, but from men
Of every kind, that America as ma
ton had taken this amazing turn, and
complete continental victory for
prohibition would be registered by
legal enactment within ten years, or
five
The war situation in Europe gave
al immense stimulus TO the crusade.
The French restrictions on ardent
apiFts and the suppression of vodka
BY the Cars government we're, of
course. exploited to the utmost. Hard
y less effective was the action Of Mr..
Lloyd George in the winter of 1915.
His series of speeches at the dock
yards and the munition centres, with
their mpassioned assertions as TO the
crinpling of war production by liquor,
and the national indulgence in drink
beng : greater danger than German
arms, were quoted by speakers and
writer's everywhere. 1t was believed
that the war would hasten prohibition,
whether the United States went in or
stayed out. The navy had already
been made dry by Mr.. Josephus Dan
lels, and after the inevitable outbursts
OF anger and scorn the situation was
accepted by sailors and officers, by
the press and public opinion. All can
DID testimony, professional and lay,
agreed that 1t was better so.
When, therefore, the United States
entered the war, in April. 1917, the
ground was thoroughly prepared. The
ufy naval stations were surrounded by
ory zones. The new American army
was created dry. From the first day
10 liquor was available in the new
training camps, and it was made a
criminal offence to serve any soldier in
Uniform, officer or private, with liquor.
Ohce IN the army, they were eFectually
guarded and tutored. The vast ma
cnine Of recreation created by the Y.
A. {. A, the Y. w C. A, the Knights
0l Columbus (the spending Cath
0Ac association and the War Depart
ment's Camp Community Service, to-
gether with the vigorous and down.
hight "ft-to-fight" campaign against
crlnk and venereal disease - all
worked together to the same end.
inerc was present, necessarily, the
aanger that turks in all forms of sup
preston, as was evident when the ar
mistice brought a slackening of con-
troll.
The author proceeds to describe
the legislative aspect of the dry
ADVANCE and presents the stat
Stlcs Of prohibition enactment. AS
70 the ratification of the Eighteenth
amendment, Mr.. Ratcliffe points to
we extraordinary speed with which
"e measure passed the state legis-
@tures, and adds:
Those who have been led to doubt
'ae actuality Of the vote may be ad-
''sed to consider the figures. They are
extraordinarily thorough. In fourteen
'enates out of forty-fve that have
's'ined not single vote was given
against the amendment. In twelve
''hers the noes did not muster five
'''es each; in eight more they were
saoer ten. Of the houses of repre-
'eh'atlves seven were unanimous. They
Included Kansas, with 121 votes TO o.;
."oraska. 80 to 0; Washington, 90 to O.;
'outh Dakota, S6 to O. In the houses
VI fourteen other states the "wets"
''o'd not command ten votes.
The writer continues:
opviously, however, political vic
'0fy such as this could not have been
''aieved but for the existence Of a
'sss and potent body of popular opin-