6 APRIL 1929, Page 2

The Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution makes the sale of

alcoholic drink illegal. That 'general principle' had to be implemented. Hence the Volstead Act. This Act has not been universally adopted, but even in the' two or three States where the Act is' not in force the Federal law, of course, holds good that the sale of alcoholic drink is illegal. But* what is alcoholic drink ? The Volstead Act says that it is any liqinar which contains one half of 1 per cent. of alcohol. The " Wets " of Wisconsin are reviving the suggestion that the defini- tion should be altered so as to legalize beer and light be wines. This " way out " would nndOubtedly simpler than repealing the amendment to the Constitution-0 almost impossible thing to do—but personally we cannot see a majority of Americans accepting the humiliating make-believe of saying in effect ".Alcoholic drink is prohibited by the Constitution, but certain- kinds of liquor upon which you can get _drunk are not alcoholic."