7 APRIL 1917, Page 11

THE LATE ADMIRAL SIR GEORGE WARRENDER AND THE DRINK CURSE.

[To THE Emma OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—Speaking to the Plymouth Brotherhood, the late Admiral Sir George A3Varrender, K.C.B., K.C.V.O., said " Their Secretary had sent him a copy of the memorial against strong drink—for the prohibition of it during the war and for six months after the war. He hoped to be one of the first to sign that memorial. Nothing appealed to him more. If they could do away with drink they would do away with one of the most damnable curses in the Service. Men often thought that as long as they did not get drunk it did not matter how much they drank. That was not so. They put their stomachs out of order. They had ` heads ' and poor tempers next day. They could not put their whole strength into their work if they drank. He believed the only thing was to have prohibition in a time of stress to the nation like they had now. Everything they could do at such a time to keep men fit and able to undergo the stress of the present situation they should do. It was their duty to help the men who had got to work, and they could do it by supporting this movement. He did not care if they were Radicals, Conservatives, Socialists, or any- thing else. It would not be done unless it was pushed by the public; if they organized they could push the Government. Some people said: ` We cannot do it,' but they could do it if everybody worked together. He believed it would be a blessing to the country to do away with drink for ever—but he said: ` Do away with it at all events in this time of stress.' "