RUM RATIONS OVER THERE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXIX, Issue 9363, 3 August 1918, Page 3

RUM RATIONS OVER THERE

DR. POLING MAKES PERTINENT COMMENTS.

Among tlie many distinguished Americans who have lately yisitcd seines of the World War few are more widely known,or'more dependable than the Associate President of the United Society of Christian Endeavour, Daniel A. Poling. At a crowded mass meeting in. Boston last month Dr. .Poling reviewed his experiences and aroused great enthusiasm for the Liberty Loan and the prosecution of the War. .Earlier in a personal interview with the- Editor of "The Temperance Cause/ Dr. Poling expressed himself as de-lighted with the morale of tho American forces. Discussing the much mooted question of tho Hum 'Ration he said:

"I. -saw our men under all conditions: going Over the Top and on their return from the attack. There was absolutely no drinking. i There was no ■nini ration issued-' to' them. I did not sec a single American soldier under the influence of liquor in public; places. The throe whom I did «cc were in the guard-house. 1 was constantly sur-

prised by the fact that with light wines always served ii. French cities where Expeditionary forces wore billeted under joint military control, there ' was not more drunkenness. .In the com-

i numities which 1 visited where we are in entire, control no wines are used. Yet you understand/ Dr. Poling interjected, •'there has been no order issued against light wines. General Pershing is indefatigable in the matter, however, us tliis instance will illustrate: la a city where I'Yench and Americans w'wlj in joint control there were three wine-shops. When American engineers were rei'xjrfced drinking the Gonp.ra<l investigated and then - ordered all the shops dosed. , '.Conditions in il'ranee are far less oricn.*;iv<«. than in Kngl'and. This is doubtless oecause t here are associated wiih the- Stair o.tlicens men who are thoroughly awake to tlie alcohol menace juul in sympathy with the real .America v attitude toward religion .and moral rv-forin. Dr. Haven ■Emerson, formerly Commissioner of Pti'bl'ic- Health, IN'ow Yark City,- is among them. 1 cannot speak too highly of the .morale of the American force-s and the. morals of tin;

individual soldiers. This is flue to the character of th.? men ami to the scientific progress that has made it clour tliat liquor ami modern warfare aro hu'ompii.tible." Asived about the seiiernl teinperanec situation in Groat iJrJtain, Dr. Poling

:;a.id : "It is ready I'or War J'ro'iibttion. li' left ■to ilie people they would vote S'ojl it. The i'cK-'d situation,— i\u< question of slnps, money and bread,—has brought John Barleycorn •.■■ iato disre.pnv« r with all dn:s;>es. Seven pis>biseiu>-s in as many important' ;of Seovla-ntl yave a larjre. ma-jority for .War Prohibition.' These test, voles are still b-f?in£ inken. The Tiabour Parly has War 'Prohibition in its platform.' 1

task and in keeping with their training and traditions."

Eceall also that in the evident policy of the Nation we have to prepa.ro The Army Of The Future.

We think the Old-Fashioned Mother was much.-concerned that her children should avoid the tragedies of life.

In thirty States more than 200 committees -have been appointed by the National Security League in, behalf of physical regeneration. A text for the J3aby Welfare Campaign and a reminder that Drink and Grandparents are often related. 8 25