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Increase of Drinking

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Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Jun 20, 1900

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 26, No. 25.

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Increase of Drinking

Notwithstanding the increasing publicity of temperance sentiment and extraordinary efforts which have been put forth by many temperance reformers; notwithstanding the picture of its terrible curse which is continually before the world in blasted fortunes, wrecked homes, ruined characters, and loss of life, the manufacture and consumption of drink is constantly increasing. The London Standard (quoted by the New York Times of April 29), in speaking of the latest and completest statistics of London's board of trade respecting beer, says: "It is a striking fact that in every European country here mentioned, except Italy, and in the United States, there has been a steady and, in most cases, a large increase both in the production and in the consumption of beer during the fourteen years covered by the return." The production in Great Britain increased from 993 million gallons in 1885 to 1,302 million gallons in 1898; Germany, from 932 million gallons in 1885 to 1,460 million gallons in 1898; Russia, from 77 million gallons to 115 million gallons in the same period; United States, from 494 million gallons to 968 million gallons; Sweden, from 20 million gallons to 49 million; Switzerland, from 19 million to 46 million. In consumption, in gallons per head, the United Kingdom increased from 27 in 1885 to nearly 32 in 1898. Wurtemberg increased from 32 gallons to 43 gallons; the United States, from 8.8 gallons per head in 1885 to 13 gallons for each man, woman, and child, on an average, in 1898. In Britain, the consumption of spirits is yearly "about one gallon a head, with a tendency to increase." United States is given about the same. Think of this vast bottomless sea, into which is poured so many farms, homes, stocks, bonds, grain, money, reputations, character, lives; and it never did any one any good; its infernal maw is still open to swallow all that is good.
THE government of the United States has informed China that unless the Chinese Government takes active measures to suppress the "Boxers," and guarantee the safety of Americans in China, American troops will be landed. The Chinese Government's half-hearted efforts to suppress the anti-foreign organization have resulted in nothing. Some of the Chinese troops have gone over to the "Boxers," and the others have been defeated. The "Boxers" are now marching on Peking, and foreign troops have been ordered to proceed to that city at once for the protection of the various foreign legations. The consuls of the foreign governments at Peking have united in a demand upon the Chinese foreign office for an explanation of the government's attitude. Rear Admiral Kempff, of the American Navy, is now at Taku with his flag-ship, this being the nearest approach to Peking for large vessels. The "Boxers" are reported to be enlisting hordes of desperadoes, and are intent upon expelling from China everything foreign. The position of the missionaries is said to be one of extreme peril. It is feared that they will meet with the same fate as their native converts, whom the rebels are ruthlessly murdering. The Russian minister at Peking has telegraphed his government, asking that all the available gunboats be sent to Taku. A despatch from Tien-Tsin, dated May 31, states that the Chinese have refused to allow Russian troops to pass the Taku forts on their way to Peking. Americans to the number of 108, with a machine gun and a field gun, have been landed at Tien-Tsin. Men have also been landed from the Russian, French, Italian, and British war ships at Tien-Tsin. A fleet of twelve foreign war ships is now at this place ready for action. The Chinese foreign office has refused permission to these foreign troops to proceed to Peking, and an ultimatum has been delivered to the Chinese Government stating that the foreign troops would start for Peking on June 1, whether they had permission or not. The situation is regarded as very grave.
EACH week adds to the terrible record of the India famine. The rapid spread of cholera and smallpox in the relief camps is carrying off thousands who might otherwise have eked out an existence until the people are again able to help themselves. The dying drop in the fields and ditches and along the roadside. At Godhra there have been 3,000 deaths in four days. Cattle are dying by hundreds. The human death rate in the poorhouses at Ahmedabad is ten per cent. daily. The thermometer stands at 115 degrees in the shade. Deaths at Donad have been 2,500 daily, and the bodies are being devoured by dogs, vultures, and jackals. The native officials are reported to be heartlessly indifferent, and the spirit of the people is broken. The monsoons will soon be due, and the torrential rains, flooding the relief camps, will spread the cholera, plague, and smallpox throughout the country. In the infected places the air is said to be stifling, and the water impregnated with poison from the unburied dead. Dr. Klopsch reports that the present condition of India is worse than at any time during the century. A more terrible picture than India now presents would be hard to imagine.
THE Supreme Court of the State of Massachusetts has decided that tobacco can not be sold on Sunday in that State unless it is sold to be used as a medicine. What a door for subterfuge and hypocrisy is flung open whenever men essay to legislate on matters of religion. Tobacco is not clothing, it is not food, neither is it properly classed as fuel, tho it burns out many a brain, and sears and wrecks the nerves from head to foot. But there are not wanting thousands who will declare it is medicine when the law of the land makes it a misdemeanor to purchase it on one particular day of the week, and not so on another. By making a crime of a civil act, such a law fosters in the man the sin of perjury. And to this end all religious legislation operates. All efforts of religious people toward the enactment of religious laws tend to the increase of cold formalism, hypocrisy, and sin. Would that good people would learn this before embarking on such a disastrous course.
THE Hallock Bill, recently passed by the New York Legislature, has become a law. This new law makes it a misdemeanor to sell, or possess for sale, the plumage of the following wild birds and songsters: Quail, partridge, pheasant, wild duck, pigeon, meadow lark, grouse, woodcock, oriole, robin, bluebird, and woodpecker. Under the law no wild birds other than those for which there is an open season, can be taken or possessed at any time, dead or alive, and no part of their plumage, skin, or body, can be sold or kept for sale. The wanton destruction of these beautiful creatures to pander to human vanity has nearly, if not quite, destroyed many varieties of the feathered creation. It is to be hoped that this sharp rebuke to a wicked fashion will awaken the consciences of men and women in other States, and check the cruel slaughter.
ON May 30 Lord Salisbury announced the capture of Johannesburg, the metropolis of the Transvaal. According to the latest report, Lord Roberts' army was within a few hours' march of Pretoria. President Kruger had fled to the Portuguese seaport of Lourenzo Marquez, and the defenders of the various forts around Pretoria had been dismissed. Trainloads of fugitives are on their way to Portuguese territory, and many of the Boers have returned to their farms. It is believed, however, that there are large companies of Boers still in the field. The Boers at Laing's Nek are still holding General Buller's force in check, and no headway seems to have been gained by the British at this point. Many now regard the war as practically ended.
THE eclipse of the sun which occurred on May 28, and was visible as a total eclipse through Mexico, the Southern States, the Atlantic Ocean, Spain, and North Africa, was successfully viewed by a large number of scientific expeditions. No eclipse has occurred for many years whose path of totality was more convenient for astronomers, or that was attended with better weather throughout its entire course. The sky was remarkably clear at nearly every observing station, and many excellent photographs were taken, from which much is expected in a scientific way.
THE strike of street-car men in St. Louis, Mo., shows little signs of abating. There has been more or less rioting day after day since the beginning of the strike, three weeks ago. Perhaps the worst riot since the beginning of the disturbance occurred on May 29. It is reported that more than two hundred bullets were fired by strikers, policemen, and street-car employees. As a result of the shooting, three men were mortally wounded, and fully a dozen others were more or less seriously hurt by bullets or flying missiles.
SMALL engagements between Americans and Filipinos are of daily occurrence in the island of Luzon, and occasional encounters are reported also from the other islands of the Philippine group. On Masbate Island 230 Filipinos and 100 rifles were surrendered on May 20. On Luzon, 226 prisoners were taken during the week ending May 27. On the night of May 30, a body of insurgents swept through one of the suburbs of Manila, killing 5 Americans and wounding 7, and escaped without loss.
A TEST was recently made by the British Admiralty to ascertain if the woodwork on the old ironclads would burn from the effects of shell fire. In this test the first-class battle-ship Majestic fired upon the old-fashioned ironclad Belle Isle, and sank her in nine minutes. The latter vessel went down so quickly that the question of her taking fire is still unsettled.
THE uprising is still spreading in the Ashanti region of Africa. In an attempt to break through the investing lines of rebels at Coomassie three European officers were killed, and 100 in the rank and file were wounded. The loss among the Ashantis is said to have been great, as the Hausers had three Maxim guns engaged.
A REPORT from Japan states that the Japanese are placing live torpedoes in all their harbors, a measure adopted by nations only when hostilities are imminent. The only explanation offered is that the Japanese expect soon to have a conflict on their hands, presumably with Russia.
THE rush to the Cape Nome mining region has begun in earnest, forty-seven passenger vessels having left Puget Sound ports up to May 26. It is estimated that over 8,000 persons have gone to this district alone since the shipping season began this year.
FOR the first time on record the czar invited the members of the British embassy to dinner on the occasion of the queen's birthday last week. This innovation is regarded as of great political significance.
THE Panama Canal Company at Colon, Colombia, has received orders from Paris to resume work on a large scale, and many mechanics and laborers are being engaged, according to a report from Colombia.
A STEAMER with three convoys was carried over the falls in the Poteria River, British Guiana, on May 26, and the forty persons on board were drowned.
THE Catholic Mirror notes the fact that a Catholic priest opened the Populist National Convention with prayer, at the request of the chairman.