Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-09-22
GEDDES DECLARES
WORLD WATCHING
DRY EXPERIMENT
Prohibition in the United
States Attracts Atten-
ton of All Nations.
LCOH0LlSM CONGRESS-
GATHERS IN WASHINGTON
Practically All European and
Many South American
Nations Represented.

WASHINGTON. Sept. 2l.-Prohibi-
ton In the United States has at
tracted the attention of the world
Sir Auckland Gcddes. British am
bassador. declared In addressing the
opening session today of the
hfteenth international Congress
Against Alcoholism.
In support of his assertion, Sir
Auckland told the congress that de-
tailed reports of its proceedings had
Decn requested by his home govern
mcnt. and that the governments OF
other nations were undertaking
studies OF the sociological and eco
Homic effects of total abstinence.
Practically all of the European ma
lions and number of the South
american republics were represented
at the opening session, which was
held In the n-American Building.
DIR. Dinwiddie Made Chairman.
Much OF the first session was taken
up with the welcoming ceremonies.
In enecting its organization the con-
gress elected Edwin C. Dinwiddic.
former legislative superintendent of
the An;i-Saloon League Of America,
chairman. to succeed Premier de
Beerenbrouck. of the Netherlands,
who was made president OF the in
ternational committee of the con-
gress.
Delegates to the congress tonight
saw pageant entitled 1.-The Support
OF Temperance" which was acted on
the east front of the Capitol. which
depicted the progress OF prohibition
in the United States. Later. the dele
gates were guests at a reception
given by the American executive
committee at the Pan America n
Building.
Sir Auckland Geddes made his
statement relative to the attention
being paid by other NATIONS to prohi-
billion in the United States In respond
Ing for Canada, Australia and several
other British dominions. on the roll
call OF the nations. Tho Ambassador
said three departments of his home
government were intensely interest
ed" in the work OF the congress and
named them as the Home Office. the
Board OF Trade and the Ministry of
Health.
Secretary Daniels Speaks.
The league Of nations by It's
promise OF the prohibition of the
liquor traffic, slave trade and traffic
In arms in mandate countries holds up
"a beacon to light the way for re-
forms in older and stronger nations"
Secretary Daniels declared in address
Ing the congress today.
Article 90 OF the covenant has the
promise OF deliverance to peoples in
the stage where tutelage is needed
and acceptable" said Mr.. Daniels.
so long as great nations carried
them opium, arms and intoxicants
and practiced the slave trade, such
nations were bringing curses and not
blessings to peoples who looked to
them to lift them out of ignorance
and its attendant evils.
While no league Of nations could
have voice in the domestic affairs OF
member nations. the declaration of
article % has the significance of In
ternational appreciation that the
three specific things they promise to
prohibit in mandatory countries are
evils which the world should prevent.
Is BASIS for Agitation.
Article %. therefore. becomes the
basis for good men everywhere to
agitate in their own country to pre-
vent arms falling in the hands of
persons either weak Of will power or
with evil purpose, to prevent the
traffic in liquor or in human beings.
The promise to mandatory peoples
will thus become a beacon to light
the way for reform in older and
stronger nations"