The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1920-09-24

The Fifteenth International Con-
gress Against Alcoholism convened
for a six-day session at Washington.
D. c, on September p. At the open
ing session representatives from
China, Czecho- -Sloval,ia, Finland, Eng
land, Cuba, France, Holland, Nor
way, Persia, Switzerland, Greece,
Sw<den, Uruguay, Nicaraugua, and
Nee eSteia, responded to the roll call,
Among the official representatives Of
foreign governments were ambassa-
dors, ministers, and others who had
been designated by their respective
governments to represent their coun-
tries at the Congress. in addition to
the official delegates visitors from
South Africa, Mexico, Peru and other
countries were present. America
was represented by delegates ap-
pointed by the governors OF the vari-
Gus states, and delegates from every
leading temperance and Prohibition
organization in the United States
Other Countries Watch U. S.
Practically every foreign represen-
tative who addressed the Congress at
its opening session emphasized the
Importance Of American Prohibition
in relation to the future OF the alco-
hol problem in the other nations Of
the world.
The British ambassador, after ex-
plaining that he deemed the occasion
OF such great Importance that only
the head OF his department could
properly represent his government,
said: The whole British Empire at
the present time is watching the ef-
fort OF America 10 control alcoholism.
All the Empire is waiting to see what
the results will be. Prohibition is
one OF the most interesting social
phenomena that any representative of
Upon Three departments of the Brit
ish government have asked for re-
ports from this Congress. They are
the Department OF Internal Affairs,
the Ministry OF Health and the De-
partment OF Commerce. Every ses-
sion and every act of this Congress
will be watched with greatest interest
by the government which / have the
honor to represent"
World Waits With Hope
The official representative from
Holland said MAY this Congress be
successful in showing my country and
i al the world how to successfully
fight the greatest foe of humanity
alcoholism The representative of
Czecho-Slovakia said, I'VE are in
spired to follow your example and
conquer the demon rum" The rep
resentative of France said; 81 will
take back the facts and give them
publicity in my country" The rep
resentative OF Finland said that his
study OF Prohibition in America in
1906 under the direction of his gov
ernment led to the adoption of pro-
libitory measures in his country.
Relative to our present National Pro-
hibition law he~said America is set
ting a noble example of successful
temperance.
The American Experiment
Norway's representative said, I'VE
consider the American Prohibition law
an experiment which will help us de
termine the right attitude we should
take on the liquor question" The
delegate from Switzerland said, 1--WE
are grateful to the United States that
they are leading the world war
against alcohol We expect to learn
the facts and bring them to Our gov
ernment." Sweden's representative
said, "All with breathless attention
are watching America which of all
countries has made the greatest prog
ress against alcoholism" The repre-
sentatives of Venezuela declared that
his government is Investigating the
progress of the anti-alcohol move
ment throughout the world and es-
pecia1ly in the United States. Other
representatives expressed the great
interest in their own countries in the
results of the American method of
ducing the evils of alcoholism.
Americas Great Responsibility
The official announcement by rep