Evening star., 1898-12-24


@ soldiers. His sugges-
ton reopens a trying
Temperance discussion pigeon -holed by the
War Department in 1865.
This lesson from the just fought with
Spain. as learned by the commssary gen.
eral diametrically opposes that learned by
the authorities at the close of the civil war,
when it ordered that the old estab-
Hshed habit of issuing rations of alcoholic
stimulants be abolished. Thare has been
issue of liquor of any kind with the
army ration since this order of '65, but,
upon the establishment of the system of
canteens post exchanges. these adjuncts
were authorized to sell malt liquors or light
wines to such soldiers cared to invest
their pin money for them. This canteen
system was in practical operation during
the just closed, but it was forbidden
that any of these stimulants be sold by
the establishments in localities where local
laws forbid liquor selling to the ordinary
citizen.
Different Views.
Ever since the order of 60 there has been
a sentiment among large class of old and
tried officers that the moderate use of
liquors under the restraints thrown around
men in garrison would be advantageous.
Others have always believed that all the
ration of beer light wine. their argument
being identical with that of the wives who
estimate that their husbands will do less
drinking altogether if allowed to do rea-
sonable amount at home. The third ele-
Tent has believed that the danger of
drunkenness in the ranks is diminished by
the mems knowledge that what they drink
must be paid for out of their own pockets
and that other things must be sacrificed
for it.
The boys of 80" got their free dram
every day AS early 11I5 the Continental
Congress passed a resolution prescribing
as part of the ration of the continental
troops one quart of spruce beer cider
per man per day. Before the Declaration
of Independence. in 10 a gill of rum was
added as d third item from which choice
could be taken. In 1890 each non-commis-
stoned officer, private or musician al
lowed half a gill of rum, brandy or whisky
daily or the value thereof This was a
move toward stronger drink, but it will be
noticed that the whole gill allowed for
rum was cut down to a half gill when
whisky and brandy were added. In 1899
rum. whisky or other ardent spirits, not
exceeding half gill; were prescribed as
the drink portion. Three years later a
whole gill of rum. whisky or brandy was
allowed In 1904 and until after the war
of 1Sl2 an equivalent in malt liquor or low
wines could be drawn instead of whisky or
brandy at such posts or garrisons and at
such seasons as the President might think
demanded the substitution. In 1920 when
the army was engaged in difficult road
building in advance of the railways it was
ordered that whenever found necessary
during surveys or hard work. non-comms-
stoned officers, musicians and privates
should be given 10 cents q day extra for
repair of clothing and extra gill Of
whisky daily for repair of spirits These
laws and regulations remained in effect
during the Mexican and civil wars and un-
til the general orders of 1865, forbiddng
any government allowance of ardent spr-
its whatsoever.
Need for Narcotics
Before the war with Spain the subsist-
ence department formally recognized that
soldiers really need narcotics when it in
cluded per diem allowance of one-half
ounce of tobacco in the emergency ration
In bulletin of the department issued for
the information of officers this statement
was made: Under the influence of tea
coifee or tobacco man seems to be brought
TO higher efficiency than without them.
Iney Keep up cheerfulnesS and enable men
10 endure fatigue and privations, while
deprivation of them may cause depression
homeslckness, feebcness and, indeed, may
lead to defeat in battle. Depressed troops
do not light well and cannot be kept well
In hand A wise military leader will see
10 II that his men are not deprived of to-
bacco or he will regret his carelessness."
Nearly all European armies issue regl-
lar ratlons of rum brandy, whisky gin
daily in quantities Of from one to four
ounces to each soldier. Wines and beer
are included in the latest ration lists of
some foreign countries. In Austria during
peace. each soldier for breakfast gets
coffee. tea brandy, and men who smoke
are allowed TO purchase tobacco at a nomi-
nal cost from the government shops. Dur
Ing war each soldier may daily receive o
centilitres of brandy, 40 of wine, 15 of
beer or of cognac. a reduced price for
tobacco and cigars is charged In the field.
When cigars requisitioned I'm the enc
my's country each Austrian officer and ca
Oct Is allowed six per day. They must pay
for additional ones.
Experimental Evidence.
The British armys late guide for rations,
issued during operations in the field rec
commended rum and lime juice at the dis
cretlon OF commanders and upon recon-
mendation Of medical officers The British
ration table OF equivalents also prescribes
that a pint of porter is equal to half gill
or spirits But since these We're issued the
British army has gathered the first expert
mental evidence bearing upon this military
temperance question. Three regiments were
selected from each of several brigades for
tests at dlnerent times. partly during ma
neuvers- In one every man was forbidden
To drink drop while the test lasted: in
the second malt liquor only could be pur
chased; in the third a sailors ration of
WHISKY was given to each man. The ex-
pertinent was repeated in several instances
where forced marches and other hard work
was required. The whisky drinkers showed
more dash at first, but generally in about
-FOUR days showed signs of lassftude and
abnormal fatigue Those given malt liquor
oAspldJ tu less udSn at NrSI, Dut their en-
oUrance lasted somewhat longer. The alb
stainers, however. are said to have in
creased daily in alertness and staying pow
ers AS a result of this experiment the
British war department decided that in the
recent Soudan campaign not a single drop
OF stimulant should be allowed in camp
save for hospital use. The officers includ-
ing even the generals, could no longer enjoy
their accustomed spirits. wines and malt
liquors at their mess tables. There must
have been some wry faces, especially
Scotch IaddfpS " be order
was published that for all hands, including
even camp followers. liquid refreshment
was to be limited to tea, oatmeal water or
lime Juice and Nile water. Today 1t Is a
great feather in the headgear Of the advo-
oates Of military total abstainers that
Lord kitchener's recent victory was won
for him by an army Of teetotalers. who
made phenomenal forced marches through
the desert, under a burning sun and in a
climate famed for It's power to kill or pre-
maturely age the unacclmated. Indeed.