ALCOHOL IN FRANCE.
Fro THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTAT011."1 Sie,—It should encourage temperance• reformers in this country to know that the evils of alcoholic consumption in war time are even more keenly recognized in France, where, with the exception of beer, intoxicants are not usually made out of foodstuffs. This is plainly shown by a recent petition submitted to both the French Houses of Parliament by the Union des Industries Metallurgiques at Minieres, representing fifty-five great syndicates of miners and metal-workers. A rough translation of a part of this petition may interest your readers:- " The gravity of present circumstances and the spirit of duty and self-denial they have aroused in the country imperiously demand a radical measure, capable of arresting the evil at its source. The prevention of all consumption of alcohol, not at the discretion of local authorities but imposed upon all and every- where by general authority, can alone act as an effective obstacle to the disquieting outburst of indulgence in alcohol which is known to us all and which has even spread to the establishments which are working for the national defence."
I have reason to know that your efforts in the same direction are noted and approved across the Channel.—I am, Sir, &c..
J. D. A.
[A. further confirmation of our correspondent's view is furnished by the recent resolution passed by the Municipal Council of Havre, a place which is statistically the most alcoholic in France.—ED. Spectator.]
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