Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 53733-h.htm or 53733-h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53733/53733-h/53733-h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/53733/53733-h.zip) Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive. See https://archive.org/details/fiddlersdrinkinw00meea Transcriber’s note: Italic text is represented by underscores surrounding the _italic text_. Bold text is represented by equal signs surrounding the =bold text=. Small capitals have been converted to ALL CAPITALS. THE FIDDLERS Drink in the Witness Box by ARTHUR MEE _If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, “Behold, we knew it not;” doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? And shall not He render to every man according to his works?_ Published by Morgan & Scott, Ltd 12 Paternoster Buildings, London, E. C. 4 First Hundred Thousand May 15, 1917 Second Hundred Thousand June 1, 1917 Reprinted in the United States by The American Issue Publishing Company Westerville, Ohio ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: DRINK LEADING FAMINE IN The Drink Trade gave Germany her greatest weapon in the war by helping to make the bread famine. It was the wilful destruction of 4,800,000 tons of food, depriving the nation of her reserves, that led to the appalling gravity of the submarine menace.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: Drink, What did You do in the Great War? This impressive picture of Britannia is from the splendid 1916 issue of Bibby’s Annual] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ [Illustration: THE ALLIES AND PROHIBITION—STOPPING DRINK TO WIN THE WAR The Drink Map before the War and on the 1000th day of the War CANADA—Prohibition almost from Sea to Sea FRANCE—Total Prohibition of Absinthe RUSSIA—Prohibition Everywhere BRITAIN—120,000 Drink shops open daily] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Wages of Sin The time has come when it should be said that those responsible for our country now stand on the very threshold of eternal glory or eternal shame. They play and palter with the greatest enemy force outside Berlin. The news from Vimy Ridge comes to a land whose rulers quail before a foe within the gate.