The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-21
GERMANY FACES FIRST REAL WAR
 AGAINST LIQUOR
American COnd itiOn S
 Have Been Studied As Model
(By ERIC KEYsER) neased Wire to Age.Heraldl

BERLIN, July 20.-Germany's first real prohibition drive" is about to open. Sporadic, half-hearted crusading hitherto indulged in will me replaced by an energetic campaign, launched by the welfare societies of Berlin. These organizations intend to take a leaf from the book of American experience, and have called in Dr. Alice Salmon, noted woman lecturer, writer and tour ist, to assist with her knowledge of prohibition matters, gleaned from re- cent study-trip in the states.
 Dr. Solomon says Germany can be, and will be, dried up, and the societies have sworn a solemn oath to push the prohibition campaign in lively fashion, joining with other organizations for a united battle.
 The talk of prohibition" in this land of beer and wine and schnaps used to be sniffed at. Today, the prohibition idea has fired the imaginations of many, especially the working class.
 Trade Unions Want Prohibition
 As a result, not only the welfare societies are anxious to dry up the coun- try, but there is a deal of support from the powerful trade unions and other influential organizations, such as the "Wandervoger- birds-and the blue cross.
 The first organized battle against all cohol in pre-war times was waged by the workers prohibition league. This organization scored considerable success so long as it's aims were in accord with the campaign of the social democrats against the 'Schnaps" junkers. How ever, the leagues converts dwindled after the social democrats had lifted the boycott. The league still has branches in almost all cities in Ger many, but it plays no important role, nor has it conducted any effective cam paign since the war.
 On the other hand, there exists a very big movement in Germany, the ''Wandervogel," that is entirely prohi- bitionist. It campaigns against alcohol in it's own circles and has hitherto re- trained from making converts among outsiders.
 Conditions Change
 Meantime, conditions with regard to "boozing" have changed considerably. Workers as rule, although they drink beer rather lavishly, for various reasons do not consume so much hard liquor" as they did 20 years ago. Another large portion of the popula- tion took to the "water-wagon" during the war. The beverage concocted then under the name of beer or brandy, from turnips and other fanciful sub- stitutes, proved to be a stronger anti alcohol propaganda than any Volstead act or "Pussyfoot" Johnson campaign ever could hope to be.
 However, this wholesale prohibition ceased after the beverage again had become palatable by return to the use of old time malt and hops. However, consumption never has reached it's pre-. war standards.
 The planned campaign of the Berlin | welfare societies, in the ranks of whcih are many noted scientists, will be the first real prohibition campaign con. ducted in Germany. The executive com mittee intends to make connections witt the other existing organizations anC it is assumed that, once rallied to ont united front, they will represent 6 force which might succeed in material izing the threat of making Germany dry" Members of the committee also believe-and not without reason-that both the social democratic party and the trade unions can be won over easily to the prohibitiOnists' side.