The sun., 1919-07-21
WARNS us. DRYS
FROM ENGLAND.
Lady Somerset Says Importa-
ton of Workers Would In
jure Temperance Move.
PROHIBITION Is HOPELESS
Government Control of Liquor
Looked Upon as Only
Remedy for Evils.
Special Gable Despatch to TEE suS and the
Public Ledger

bPcSstf NuOdo DecputS" ~ Anh SSN NV ase
Public Ledger
Copyricht 1919: all rioh.s rescrted
LONDON. July 2o.-Lady Henry
Somerset. the noted temperance
worker, resents the idea Of importing
American prohibition workers into the
United Kingdom. In an article in the
Weekly Dispatch she says:
For thirty years I have been work.
ing in the temperance cause with the
sole idea of getting a sober England
I am convinced that to force prohibi-
ton now means that all the work Of
these years will be undone and that
we should achieve a barren nothing.
The campaign will set public opinion
dead against temperance.
1.-THE movement for prohibition means
conducting the fght on sentimental in
stead of on practical grounds. That has
too often been attempted, and has been
the cause of so little having ever been
achieved. II is no use arguing by anal
ogy from the United States.
prohibition in the United States is
a totally different matter, 1t is diff
ferent country, with different traditions
and entirely different social instincts.
I'm America the people are moulded
by opinions OF the moment How diff
ferent It is in England. where every
new thing takes a long time to take
root and where the customs are deeply
intrenched.i The people over here dc
not realize that the vast mass OF pro-
fessional and working classes in America
never have spirits, wines or even Deer
on their tables.
1T have been through all parts OF
New York, and I have never seen a
woman in a saloon. They have totally
different ideas in America. Drinking is
a vice over there. except perhaps among
the upper rich, who have cultivated in
ternational habits.
prohibition may do for America. II
certainly will not do for England. II II
is attempted there will be tremenGoIs
rebound There will be revolt But
am convinced that such a measure t. ar
impossibiity.
THE whole campaign is farce
Prohibition is a distinct infringement NJ
liberty which this country will not have
There are only two ways OF dealing
with a prohibition campaign. You must
either fight or you must smother it Will
silence. I am not at all sure that every
HOTQ We say dBdhoA ~ "ii 'NN ~
twisted to show that we are supportirg
the LIQUOR traffic. / should ignore tho
campaign.
Government control is what is wanted
not prohibition. II we had Government
control there would be no pressing
drink on people. There would be nc
such thing as free drinks to the frs
customer and none of the old induce
ments to come early and stay late.
ut is because feel so strongly thai
reform is needed that am inveighinl
So strongly against prohibition. II pro
hibition came in II would merely be
come a question of evading the law ant
/ for the people to acquire that habi
would be a bad thing for the country
This campaign for prohibition is mo-
| dealing honestly with one of the mos
solemn questions affecting the whole
| future OF our national life, becaus,
| every one who looks seriously at tn,
present conditions knows prohibition tt
he impossible"