Notwithstanding the short time available, and the other attractions of the season, it was found possible to give an informal welcome to: Shanghai to the distinguished visitor at a breakfast held at the Foreign Y, M.C, A. on Deember 26, Abuot 50 interested friends met and stoned to an me teresting talk from the prohibition: ist veteran and anti-saloon enthusiast. Mr. G. E, Poet, in a few well-chosen wore, introduced the guest, who cordially responded to the vitation to address. the company, and submit to questioning after wards, Mr. Johnson said that the drink evil has been a problem with which rulers have wrestled for over 4,000 years, Long lists of laws existed ancient times, and down to modern times, trying to control Grinking, while carefully seeking to avoid damaging the interests or the feelings of manufacturers and sellers. The United States tried various methods of control for over 200 yenrs, without much success, Until at last it was determined th Frohibition must be tried. There nothing new in prohibition Piracy, slavery, and some other outlawed customs, could only be dealt with by prohibition, effective, The common-sense of the people of America at Inst led them to see that this was the way ter the drink problem.
Tt has been said that prohibition was carried through while the men of the nation were abroad, or othe wine bus were oversea at that time; and in any cnse, the decision has een confirmed many times since, especially by the popular vote November last, Women Behind Prohibition is possible for the Senate te change the policy, by a majority vote of one, if so desired. "But no Senator has either wished, or ate tempted to secure such change. The Lange labour-employing concerns are strong supporters of prohiitio are over 60,000 chukehes of all denominations, which have" not changed their' view after ten years experience of the present policy. 'The great womens' movements are also solidly behind prohibition. Mr, Johnson thinks prohibition has come to stay in the United States With regard to the statements that the 18th Amendment does not fully prohibit the sale and use of intoxicating liquor; the speaker admitted that such is the ease. It {in still possible, by going up back alleys, and by questionable means, +9 gat liquor, and to become drunk. But it is no longer an open temptainn, and the beneficial results are everywhere apparent. No law can totally prevent crime, and no law
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.