The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1896-11-13
TEMPERANCE
TEMPERANCE IN INDIA.
Marvellous Results Obtained Among thu
British Soldiers Stationed Thof5.

Marvellous Results Obtained Among tho
British Soldiers Stationed Thcfs.
Drunkenness has always been the
bane of British soldiers in India. Under
he mistaken theory that men will get
liquor, drinking places are kept open in
every military station, from which men
reel nightly to their cherries barracks,
Of. sally forth to deeds of mischief,
which end in the guardroom. Outside
cantonment limits" Hindu, Parsee, or
Christian ~ liquor sellers display
various brands of English Whistles and
other intoxicants, Turing the soldier to
drink. Idleness tempts to indulgence.
The army has nothing to do. There are
no duties save parade and attention to
accoutrements. Hours each day must
be put in" by men who, for the most
part, have no taste for reading or study,
and who find it too hot to make outdoor
recreations enjoyable. Consequently
these men lie about the "canteen," or
stroll out evenings to the shops of pub
lie poison vendors, to go back to 1.-The
lines" in all stages of intoxication.
Several years ago Rev. Gelooh Greg
son took pity on his countrymen thus
exposed to temptation and organized
the Army Temperance society. 1t soon
became very popular in the army. Lord
Roberts, OF Kandahar, the commander
in chief in India, gave it his personal
and official support for the help it prom
Used to give in the reduction of crime.
He ordered that all blanks of the re-
port of military trials be ruled with q
column headed "Abstainers," SO that
the effect of total abstinence upon the
conduct of soldiers might be correctly
estimated.
Results have gratifled the friends of
Temperance, and confounded it's cne-
mics. Year by year the number of alb
| stainers has risen. Year by year there
| has been corresponding decrease in
| the number of arrests and trials for
violation of military regulations. The
temperance society has become the
| criminal barometer of the British forces
in India. Whole regiments have
| changed character after the Danish
ment of the bottle. Christian work in
the army has never been so fruitful as
it is to-day. Men are sober and thus
ready to hear>and heed the messages O
faithful chaplains and earnest Young
Mems Christian association workers.
| And now comes the surprise OF al
surprises in connection with this grea'
movement. The Times of India, thu
most ably edited Indian daily paper
the champion Of sport" of beer for tn
poor soldier, and all kinds Of archaic
and goddess rubbish, comes out in tn
subjoined editorial on''The Fruits o
Temperance"
The Army Temperance society in Indi
may very well glory in the results OF thei
good work. The figures before US 10
1S94-95 embody picture Of success whic
the promoters of this benefcent schem
could scarcely have anticipated, even un
der the inspiration Of their original en-
thusiasm. The statistics are set forth un
der the definite headings, with clearnes
which a glance can take in. In trials b
court-martial the convictions OF abstain
ers numbered "a; of non-abstainers, 2,13
There are POSTS abstainers and 49.7bS nor
abstainers, so that nearly every third ma
in the British army in India refrains fror
drink. The convictions. therefore, wor
out per 1000 as follows: Abstafners, AS
mona bstainers, 2.S2, thus evincing this
serious crime in the army as represene
by court-martial IL nearly ten times grea
er among the men who drink than anon
their comrades who do not. Among II
summary punishments for insubordint
ton, only half the relative number wei
} awarded to abstainers as compared wit
non-abstainers Taking the conviction
for minor offenses for the first thrt
months of this year, there were 22.2 Ell
tries per 1000 among abstainers as con
pared with 997 per 1000 among non-a
stainers. To show the trouble given
, the authorities by drink. and even Il
1 pecuniary losses entailad on the men then
!, selves, Gen. cambridge speaks Of reg
ment he inspected at Umballa, In lSs
which had LIS court-martials In sing
year-the officers must have spent ha
their time In court-while the fines (
drunkenness reached $500. In the Il
, lowing year, when 400 of the men hi
Joined the temperance ranks. there we
only 81 court-martials and similar din
h mutton of the fines With regard to &
general effect of temperance on the heal
. of the men, the following statement ca
ID ries Its own emphasis: During the S
= months ending March 81. 1895, the per eel
OF admissions into hospital among
IN corps was: Abstainers. Sc: non-abstai
!, ers, IL. 1t would be difficult to beat SUI
lesson as these figures give In showi
II the general merits Of temperance. Tn,