STATUE OF LIBERTY

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1926, Page 3

STATUE OF LIBERTY

PROTEST AGAINST PROHIBITION. SAN FRANCISCO, May 19. Ihe Statue of Liberty in New York Harbour was draped in crape as a protest against Prohibition. Three members of tho World War Veterans’ Light W ino and Beer League, wlio sent iuneral banners fluttering from the two windows in the head of the statue, fled before military guards or others could apprehend them. A convention of tho Veterans’ Light Wine and Beer League opened a few hours later in New York Town Hall and the draping was planned as a stunt to advertise the meeting. A boatload of local newspaper photographers and reporters, advised in advance, hovered near the statue and cameras clicked as tho sixty-loot strips of crape fluttered in the wind. Almost at the same time Lieut.-Col. George R.Crosfield, D. 5.0., T.D., president of the Federation Filter-Allies des Ancient Combatants, or as it i« better known, the Fidac, arrived in New York from Southampton, with Airs Crosficld, and they later became the guests of the American Legion while in the United States. Colonel Crosficld represents, ns president of the Fidac. nearly 10,000,00(1 service men of the nine principal Allied countries. The Colonel was met at the pier by a colour guard representing British, American and Italian war veterans.

The principal object of Colonel Crosfield was to attend the annual meeting of Lhe executive committee of the American Legion in Indianapolis and to discuss with members of the committed how best to preserve the interests of peace and to outline work in that direction. Colonel Crosficld admitted from his point of view that conditions in Europe at the time were, very disquieting with a verbal battle proceeding in Germany between the peace, and war factions. “Germany has disarmed physically,” said the Colonel, “ hut not spiritually. It seems to me, however, that the Allied veterans want Germany in tli 2 League and believe in the Locarno Pact. To-day, nevertheless, Germany is leading the world in the manufacture is horrible chemicals for warfare. They are better prepared from a chemical standpoint than any other nation. Ignorance of other nations to this condition may bring trouble.

“ Despite all this, the Fidac. hut in this f speak only fur Great Britain and Franco, is willing to meet organisations of the enemy service in an ellorl to develop a. world peace. AA hen they show an earnest desire for peace the Fidac will he only too glad to number them among the nearly 10.000.099 others who are working to save the world from another great war. “ At this time there is a feeling in Belgium and France that unless there is a deep-hearted round table discussion where the old enemy lays its cards upon the table, their entry into the Fidac at this time would create trouble and discontent, it would he ideal to have all the old warring nations united. Perhaps it will come when time brings it about. Time alone will tell.”

Colonel Crosficld lost a leg at the Battle of A'pres, but despite tile amputation, was later granted a commission in the British Flying Corps.