Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-16
Wet and Dry Hopes

Q ECRETARY of War Baker has informed
~ the House Military Affairs Committee
that by October l, at the outside, the formal
rehabilitation of the emergency army will
have been accomplished and he adds that
in so far as rehabilitation is concerned, in
the matter of wartime prohibition, the
President will be free to lift the ban which
now is laid against the manufacture and sale
of Intoxicating beverages.
But this does not mean that liquor sales
may be legally made at that time. The
President has let it be understood that he is
unwilling to declare the prohibition law in
operative until after the army has demobi-
Lied and until after peace has been pro-
claimed. One half OF this condition may be
met, therefore, by October l, but unless the
Senate has ratified the treaty OF peace with
Germany and the necessary exchange Of rati-
fcations has been made, he will still feel
that prohibition must remain in effect.
1t should be remembered in this connec-
ton that the prohibition enforcement legis-
iation which has passed the House and is
now pending in the Senate does not deal
with wartime dryness. 1t comprehcnds only
enforcement under the eighteenth or prohi
bition amendment to the Constitution. In
other words, the House threats to render it
impossible for tho President TO lift the liquor
ban, rehabilitation demobilizati ton,
peace peace wore not carried into
effect
Many millions Of people-some wet and
some dry-arc wondering what may be ex-
pected between now and January 16, when
the constitutional amendment goes into eff
feet. The vets have two circumstances in
their favor. The first is the assurance just
given by Secretary Baker that the army will
have returned TO peace footing in two more
months. The next is that Congress has failed
to tie the hands of the President by further
wartime prohibition enactments But the
drys appear to have the better edge OH the
situation There is no immediate prospect
OF the treaty's ratification Unless speedier
Roadway is made in its consideration during
the coming months than in the weeks that
have passed. the Senator'S may be found de-
batting it when the snow flies. Even after
the debate is concluded and the vote is taken,
some time must elapse before the notifications
are exchanged.
If the Senate should amend the treaty or
otherwise modify it to such a degree that its
ratification would be conditional. further
delay in the issuance of the proclamation of
peace would ensue. These amendments or
notifications or reservations, as the case may
be, might have to he submitted to the other
sgnatories for their approval, and this would
be slow process More than twenty govern
mcnts would have to be consulted and much
diplomatic debate would be engaged in even
il it not necessary to reassemble the
peace conference itself.
There is, Of course, chance that period
of liquor selling will be ordained before
January 16. The Senate fight against the
treaty might suddenly collapse. Ratification
might be ordered and the Presidents procla-
nation might be issued earlier than the indi
cations point at this time, but it must be
admitted that the chance seems remote and
those who have calculated on disposing of
their stock those who have hoped TO &C
quirc fresh private stocks can find little en-
couragemcnt in the outlook.