Salt Lake Tribune | 1917-12-30 | Page 3 | May Bar Liquor of all Kinds to Army at Front

mt Bin Liquor of Mil to IflTFflT Question of Prohibiting All Intoxicants to Soldiers Is Under Discussion With French Government. PERSHING FAVORS PUTTING ON LID Howling Snowstorm Rages on the Americans, Who Battle With Elements Instead In-stead of Germans. WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, Friday, Dec. 2S (By ' the Associated Press.) General Pershing, in an interview with correspondents today, to-day, said the question of prohibiting tho sale of all intoxicating liquors to Amercan troops which he favors, is being be-ing discussed with the French government. govern-ment. He explained his recent order prohibiting the sale of all intoxicants except light wine and beer and the conditions prevailing in France which caused it to bo drawn as it was. "The question of prohibiting the sale of all intoxicants to American troops is under discussion with the French government," gov-ernment," said General Pershing, "but, of course, there are difficulties here in France that do not exist in the United States. The general order issued December De-cember 18, was a long step toward the prevention of drinking among our men. - "It was not by any means intended to convey an injunction to the American troops to drink light wine and beer, but quite the roverse. It was drawn to conform to French regulations on the subject. Uniform Regulations. "It stated onlv wine and beer would be used and prohibited the purchase and acceptance of gifts of whisky, brandy, champagne or similar beverages. It ordered or-dered that all drinking places where such articles are sold be forbidden American soldiers. It is the same regulation reg-ulation made in France by the British army and by the French. "Although I am heartily in favor of-prohibition of-prohibition for the American expeditionary expedi-tionary force, the situation in France and the United States is not the same. Comparatively few French people drink water as we do; they drink wine instead. in-stead. This is partly because the French water supply is not as sure as ours. French wine is light and much less intoxicating than is generally supposed. sup-posed. An intoxicated Frenchman is a rare sight indeed. French beer also is by no means strong. The French government gov-ernment issues to its soldiers a regular wino ration. Sentiment Plays Part. "Obviously there are obstacles to forbiddiiig wineshops in the zone of the armv to do business at all, wdiich practically prac-tically is what the French would have to do. Local sentiment wrill plav a large part in the determination of the questions. "The same order which forbade soldiers sol-diers taking strong drink contained the most rigid regulations to prevent the spread of the social diseases. The two questions are connected closely. Thus far tne record of the army in both respects re-spects has been most excellent. It is highly gratifying to me and is a testimonial testi-monial to the high character of the American soldier. Everything possible is 'being done to protect his morals and his health and to make him an honor to himself and his countrymen." Howling Snowstorm. Still another day of howling snowstorm snow-storm the fourth saw virtually the entire American expeditionary force within tho army zone abandon'prepara-tions abandon'prepara-tions to battle the Germans and begin a fight to keep from being snowed under. un-der. All last night and throughout today to-day the flakes fell, choking the roads and badlv delaying traffic. By nightfall the roads were in such shape that plows were brought out to keep the way clear. Soon after dark the sky cleared and a full moon came out, bathing the entire country in light almost as bright as day and making mak-ing conditions idea! for air raids. There were iow-hanging clouds ou the horizon, hori-zon, however, giving promise of more snow. Virtually all training work was called off today, but will be resumed tomorrow tomor-row unless more heavy snow- makes it im possible.