Evening star., 1924-08-09
WOMEN AND DLAb0R
IN WAR ON BOOZE
Opposition to Liquor in Eu-
rope Declared to Have
Notably Increased.
BY GEORGE r. WITTE.

Correspondence Of The Star and Chicago Daily
News. Copyright 1924.
STOCKHOLM. Sweden, August g.
Except in Finland, where the prohibi-
tion law is as sweeping as in the
United States, those countries OF
northern Europe that restrict the
consumption of liquor exempt wines
and beer from the restrictions. But
they either prohibit hard liquor" al
together. or permit its consumption
only in small quantities.
In recent months L have visited
every country in northern Europe
and have observed how these coun-
tries stand on the liquor question.
In England the sale of liquor is re-
Strlcted to certain hours. which vary
according to districts. In the West
stance, liquor is on sale in shops and
may be served in public bars and res
taurants from 1880 am. until pm,
and from $50 pm. until IL pm. on
as to the quantity one may purchase
or as to any particular kinds of
liquor.
Belgium Excludes Whisky.
In Holland there are no restrictions.
In Belgium the sale of whisky and
brandy is forbidden. Otherwise there
are no restrictions.
In Germany and Denmark there are
no restrictions
In Sweden under the Bratt temper
ance system. grown persons are al
lowed four quarts of hard liquor
per month. but wine may be pur-
chased in any quantity, with the ex
ception of sweet dessert wines. Per-
sons having meals in public eating
places are allowed seven and half
centimers for lunch and twice that
quantity for dinner There are no
restrictions as to wines and beer.
In Norway the consumption of
wines and beers is permitted but
hard liquor" is prohibited. tThe
governments bill to abolish prohibi
tion was defeated recently in the
StorthngD
In Finland there is complete pro-
hibition, except for beer containing
from 1l2 to 2E per cent of alcohol
headed by the woman 3 party, tavors
the adoption of the temperance sys-
tenn.
In Esthonia there are no restric-
tions and in Latvia- while there are
no restrictions. there is prohibttive
tax on imported wines and liquors.
In Lithuania the same conditions
prevail.
Poland forbids the sale of wines
and liquor from noon Saturday until
S am. Monday. Otherwise there are
no restrictions.
Labor FavOrs Prohibition.
But even in those countries that
have no laws to regulate the liquor
traffic the question of partial or COM
plete prohibition is being consid-
cred earnestly. That is specially
true in the countries where the labor
elements WELD great influence In
Denmark, for instance, where years
ago the question of prohibition or
temperance could not be brought up
without provoking mirth, the new
Labor government very likely will at
tempt to enact temperance measures.
In Germany the Working Mems
Temperance League, socialist or
ganization, is rapidly gaining in
membership and it is more than
likely that the question of part pro-
hibition will be brought up in the
ReichstaS this year. Two or three
years ago, when "A similar move was
made, it was laughed down. But
like the Anti-Saloon League In the
United States, this German organi-
cation is tenacious and means to
In the smaller Baltic states con-
ditions are too unsettled to permit
the importation of wines and liquor
on large scale, and the principal
beverage is beer. Vodka and sweet
liquors distilled in those countries
are subjected to high taxation, which
has resulted in compulsory temper
extensive traffic in .'moonshine"
liquor and smuggled raw alcohol,
with much the same consequences as
In the United States.