"DOWN GLASSES."
[To THE EDITOR 07 THE "Specrtroa."] Sia,—You call "liquor [beer and wine] a stimulant," "a drug, a sedative; it slows down the human machine, and so interferes with our power and efficiency," and you say much more to the same effect. If the drinking of wine has such ill-effects, how do you account for the French troops, who drink wine, being able to fight so gallantly as they do 1' You say that the "French infantry, gunners, and airmen won imperishable renown for their arms on December 15th before Verdun." The French Government is evidently entirely opposed to the views you express if it is true, as stated in the advertise- ment columns of the papers of December 22nd, that "it takes pains to see that the troops and others engaged in arduous occupations in connexion with the war are supplied with wines, and recently commandeered two hundred and forty million gallons of this season's vintage for the use of the troops." You would have us believe that drink " stands between this nation and victory." Does it also stand, in your opinion, between France and victory? You mention that " on Wednesday [20th ult.] Mr. Prothero, Minister of Agricniture, in whose knowledge, capacity, and sound sense you place the very greatest reliance, made a statement as to his duties and the duties of the nation." Now, in the course of that statement (vide Morning Post, December 21st, fourth page, sixth column) he said "he was not going to touch on the drink question, but the public must remember that the brewer not only brewed beer—he also produced milk. Without the brewer's grain milk could not be sent into the big towns in the present large quantities." As you place the greatest reliance in Mr. Prothero'a knowledge, are we to understand that you are prepared to see the quantity of milk reduced? Would you also inform us from what official statement you obtain your figures that " sixty-five million bushels of grain are every year being turned into beer, while three hundred and sixty million pounds of sugar are used every year by the liquor trade "P In this matter of drink you appear to be an out-and-out crusader, and it has been said that " the crusader is an enthusiast, and an enthusiast is not a person of a judicial frame of mind." You will doubtless agree that this is entirely true in your own case.—I am, Sir, &c.,
[Cereals are not employed in the manufacture of wine. The French wines contain comparatively little alcohol, and French- men are as a rule abstemious. Spirits are not supplied to the French Army. For these reasons drink does not stand between France and victory, as the Tsar felt it did in Russia at the very beginning of the war, and therefore wisely took action. We much regret Mr. Prothero's remark. It is as uneconomical to reach your milk supplies through beer as it is to burn down your house in order to obtain roast pig. The figures we used are those given by the "Strength of Britain" Movement, and are, we believe, correct.—En. Spectator.]
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