WORLD’S W.C.T.U.

White Ribbon, Volume 24, Issue 283, 18 January 1919, Page 10

WORLD’S W.C.T.U.

Evanston, 111., U.S.A., November 15, 1918.

Beloved Comrade, - As we emerge from the chaos of a world war, we yearningly reach out with unspeakable joy and sympathy to each and ' very auxiliary and member of the '.orld’s W.C.T.U. After four dark xears of separation from comrade, in Germany, Austria, Turkey, and Bulgaria, W.C.T.U. cables will soon connect ‘ across the lints.” At daybreak on the morn-ng the armistice was signed, 1 could think only of that wondrous, holy morn when the angels gave tlie world the heavenly mess.go, ‘‘Peace on earth, gocd-will to men.” How privileged we are to belong to a great body of women who have covenanted together to help make this vision real to-day to the family of nations! To our beloved and honoured President, Rosalind, Countess of Canisle, we turn with renewed allegiance and affection, assuring her of our devoted loyalty and of our < nrnest det°rm nation to bend all our energies to the building up of our blessed organisation, not only that the constructive work we love may go splendidly forward, but that we may have an enlarged membership for the mighty programme immediately to b° undertaken. Also we must keenly realise the need of continuing to aid the vast relief work growing out of the war. There is Still committed to us this unfinished and supreme task.

Coincident with the cessation of hostilities, November n, icylß, has come the Bear approach of prohibition for the United States. Believing the time ripe for an intensive campaign for world prohibition and for rallying the forces of our great organisation to renewed high endeavour, I sent out on that historic day this

proclamation:— "Proclamption for World Prohibition.

‘‘World democracy, world peace, and world patriotism, demand world prohibition. ‘‘Representing the National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of the United States, a Republic about to write prohibition in its constitutional law, we hereby call upon the peoples of all faiths and of all organisations in the world’s family of natrons to clasp hands with the World’s W.C.T.U. and to help bring to full

fruition its hope and its heroic service of thirty-five years on behalf of a sober world. Science declares against alcohol. Health conservation and business prosperity demand total abstinence and prohibition. Together let us agitato, educate, organise, and legislate, un il the exalted vision of the founder of the World’s W.C.T.U., Frances K. Willard, is realised; until the Gosoel of the Golden Rule of Christ is worked out in the customs of society and in the laws of

every land. “At the close of the devastating world war, in the white heat of the limitless, unparalleled opportunities of a new internationaism, depending upon the hHp of God and of all who love humanity, we hereby proclaim, by the year 1025, the triumph of world prohibition. “Rest Cottage, Evanston, Illinois, USA., November 11, iqiß.” To aid in the further development of our great principles of total abstinence and prohibition, and in the achievement of the goal set forth in our proclamation, “The Union Signal,” the official organ of ihe National W.C.T.U. of this country, will, each month, publish a special number, to be known as the “International Edition.” Th s paper will cover news items concerning our progress, and the growth of sentiment for our principles and plan of work in all parts of the world. We shall secure contributors in all our auxiliaries to help speed to success the plans, purposes, and principles which for thirty-five years we have unselfishly promoted. I he subscription is 1.5’d01, postpaid, or six shillings and four-pence. For the 12 numbers of the “International Edition,” two shillings, postpaid. Address Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A. The general officers of the National W.C.T.U. have telegraphed President Wilson, asking that American women may be appointed members of the Official Peace Conference. Other countries will doubtless make similar requests of their Governments. In 1919, we must hold our Tenth Convention of the World’s W.C.T.U. Lady Carlisle and the other general officers w ill soon decide time and place for this most important meeting, and all our auxiliaries will be promptly notified. May this Convention demonstrate our worthiness to bear the name long ago ascribed upon our banners.

May it prove that our bond of love for one another and of our long years of united service for our God-given work, is strong enough to survive the strain of war. May it show that as Christian women we arc ready, hand to hand and heart to heart, to continue our great and holy endeavour for world sobriety and world Prohibition. —Affectionately,

ANNA A. GORDON