The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1929-12-01


making progress in the movement against
the use of beverage alcohol. The altering
character of modern civilization, growing
economic riyalries and more general ap-
probation of the rayages Wrou Int by in
toxicating beverages are the major factors
in this widespread tendency. Educational
programs emphasizing these points among
many others. have been very potent forces
in creating that popular sentiment which
demands, first the regulation, second more
rigid control, and ultimately the prohibi-
ton of the beverage liquor traffic.
The following briefly summarizes some
of the recent typical events in the anti-al-
cohol movement in various countries but
does not attempt to name either all the
nations concerned nor all the achieve
ments of the opponents of the liquor traffic.
AFGHANISTAN- Nadir Khan, newly
enthroned king of Afghanistan, has issued
an orientally worded proclamation in Ka-
bull indicating among other reforms that
he proposes to enforce the Moslem prohi-
bition against drinking.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to DR.. Louis Pie
rard, former member of Parliament is eX-
periencing bootlegging and trenches or
concealed rooms in cigar stores and gro
ceries Belgium has established heavy GUS
toms and excise taxes and taxes on new
cafes AS the result of prolonged debate
in the Chamber, the government appoint
ed an extraparliamentary Commission TO
study the Belgian Liquor Law, its effects
and its failings. The Federation of Belgian
Anti-Saloon Leagues has requested that
percentage of revenue from alcohol taxes
be appropriated for temperance societies.
BULGARIA-In Bulgaria there are many
saloons in rural communities, while ref
erendum on the closing of saloons in Sofia
is proposed. An inSpectorate of alcoholism
has been provided under the direction of
the public health department, which is al
so encouraging total abstinence societies
and temperance instruction in various
forms. Any person engaged in passenger
transport who becomes intoxicated while
on duty or Immediately before going on
duty is liable to severe penalties. On Sec
ond offenSe the right to exercise his pro-
fession may be withdrawn.
CHINA-In China the Ministry of the
Interior for the Nationalist Government of
China has instructed the provincial gov
ernments to proclaim number OF rules OF
conduct, including a call TO Abstain from
drinking alcoholic liquors, smoking, gam
bling, and other evil habits
CzECHOSLOVAKIA-In Czechosloyakia
President Mazaryk on the anniversary of
the republic, addressing $4,000 children at
holic beverages
DENRIARK-In Denmark the anti-al-
cohol movement has reduced brandy con-
sumption from 83 litres in 1918. to 16 in
1928. A parliamentary commission to study
the revision of liquor legislation has been
appointed Under local option laws prohi-
bition has grown greatly in Continental
Denmark.
ESTONIA-There are 10000 organized
81 rf-,Af IF
little over one million in Estonia. A law on
local option has been voted and came into
force this year: two communes have al
ready availed themselves of their right Of
introduction.
FINLAND - The new restrictive mea-
sures passed by the Diet of Finland limit
medical liquor prescriptions with heavy
sentences for slightest ofIense The Fin
nish police have also been given the right
to search private houses on mere suspicion
of liquor law violations.
FRANCE - In France the Academy of
Medicine and the French Temperance
League are fighting absinthe, long forbid
den but now sold under other names. The
first national Congress of French and Co.
lonial Fruits was held in Paris from the
25th to the 30th of last October. with the
purpose of developing uses for fruits and
fruit syrupS with especial reference to
grapes. Senator Godart, former Minister
of Health, is president of the organizing
committee which is hoping to find some
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