 |
| Lady Somerset. |
"There is one thing that gives me great grief on this trip." said the president of the World's Woman's Christian Temperance union, as her face grew sad. "I miss Frances Willard. She always met me at the pier when I came here. Now she is gone."
Lady Somerset does not look a day older than when she was in America last, nor has she lost the fire of her purpose. She responded quickly when asked various questions regarding in temperance, and described England as "a drunken nation." As for Mrs. Carrie Nation, she laughed heartily over the Kansas amazon, said that she was misguided and that her efforts to reform drunkards did more harm than good.
Lady Somerset handled the question of canteen in the army without gloves, and said that the time was not far distant when intoxicating liquor would not be tolerated even in the English army.
"Drunkenness is on the increase in England," said Lady Somerset, "I am really ashamed to tell the American people in what a deplorable state the United Kingdom is. It has become a nation of drunkards. It seems hopeless to work for its reformation. In the army alone, the very place where one would expect to find it, less spirits are used than formerly.
"The increase in intoxication at home is due to the spread of disease among women. I am very sorry to hear that women in America are drinking more than formerly. I cannot believe it. I had such great hope of American women. They always seemed to have more backbone and will power than my country women.
"To illustrate to you how women abroad have taken to drink, I want to say that about 13 years ago the average arrests in London for intoxication was four men to one woman. Now it is three women to one man.
"Why is it? Well, one of the chief reasons is that there has been too much privacy about the public houses of late, and women are now able to go to any of them without being seen by the public.
"The increase in drink among women has naturally mad a great increase in crime. The reason is apparent. Women are more excitable, sensitive and nervous in drink than men, and in this condition will commit crime more readily. The school bill that was passed prohibiting the sale of liquor to children under 14 years has stopped drunkenness to some extent, but it is only a drop in the bucket." 1902, Hopkinsville Kentuckian
No comments:
Post a Comment