Today -100: May 1, 1915: Safety in speed

British Chancellor of the Exchequer David Lloyd George wants to deal with the alleged problem of lost productivity in the munitions industry caused by drinking by raising the duty on alcoholic drinks.

The International Congress of Women at the Hague passes a resolution declaring that women’s suffrage would be another pro-peace move. Emmeline Pethick-Lawrence, the British militant suffragette, says that international conflict is deliberately stoked by munitions tycoons, and proposes nationalization of armaments as a step towards universal disarmament. 1938 Superman would agree.

I’m sure Mrs. Pethick-Lawrence would have appreciated the visual aids.

Belgian and French bishops and cardinals ask Pope Benedict to drop his attitude of neutrality and come out against the Hun. Like Jesus would.

The German Embassy in the US takes out an ad in various newspapers (this one’s from the NYT).

Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan gives a one-hour temperance lecture at a Carnegie Hall meeting called by the National Abstainers’ Union. Hundreds then come to the front to sign the pledge, getting Bryan to sign as witness. Booker T. Washington also gives a speech. Bryan alludes to the war: “In some of the belligerent countries it has been found that loyalty to Bacchus, Gambrinus, and Barleycorn is greater than loyalty to King, Kaiser or Czar. The aeroplane that drops its bombs from above and the submarine that shoots its torpedoes from below are less to be feared than the schooner that crosses the bar.”

H.G. Wells writes about what the Allies’ war aims should be: restoring Belgium (and enlarging it to more defensible borders), a “rational readjustment” of borders. And, of course, “the chastening of Germany.”

This British recruiting poster was issued sometime in May:

It’s all about the hats.

Headline of the Day -100:

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