Washington sentinel., 1900-04-07
THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC.
HEARING BEFORE THE HOUSE
INSULAR COMMITTEE.
INFORMATION FOR BREWERS
AND OTHERS.

The House Committee on Insular
Affairs gave a hearing last Friday to
representatives of the temperance and
prohibition societies ofthe United States
upon the alleged growing evil Of the
| liquor traffic in the Philippines and other
insular possessions OF this Government.
The statement was made that since
the occupancy oi the Philippines by the
| Americans drunkenness, which was
practically unknown in Manila, has
become prevalent, and that the hitherto
innocent natives, who were formerly
very abstemious, are rapidly falling into
the bibulous habits OF the American
soldiers.
Testimony was adduced to the effect
that when the Americans reached
Manila there were only three or four
saloons, selling light wines, while now
there are 45o to 500 saloons where
American customs obtain and whisky
and beer are sold.
Rev. Wilbur F. Crafts, Of the Reform
League, addressed the committee,
"a AikAA6 OuL tlCHG dhh
quoted former Consul Edwards as saying
that the use OF intoxicants in the tropics
means insanity. He had no doubt that
the increase OF insanity among the
troops was due to the use of liquor. He |
quoted Professor Schurman, Of the Phil.
ippIne Commission, on the growth of
the liquor business.
Rev, J. B. Dunn, repre- senting the
National Temperance Society and the |
Presbyterian Urion, read extracts from
various religious and secular papers of
the cour try, blaming the President for
the 'saturnalia Of debauchery" existing
in Manila, alleging that he could prohibit
the importation Of liquors into the
Philippines. He also quoted from the
journals of the liquor trade that "beer
and whisky 90 with our flag into the
new possessio ons, and also 'that as one
result OF our occupation OF Manila
the liquor business has reached enter.
prising proportions and is a respectable
business" Mr., Dunn said that Manila |
has been transformed into a saloon city,
and that this is with the knowledge and
OF the Washington authorities.
rs this the benevolent assimilation OF
which the President has had so much to
iay?" asked Mr.. Dunn. 1--WE have
the cock fights and opened
vide the rum shops" Mr.. Dunn read
letter from Gen. Otis, which denied
he statement that Manila is given over
o debauchery. Gen. Otis said he was
educing the number OF saloons, and that
he excesses ofthe visiting soldiers were
lwaYs punished. Gen Otis said that 2
he FIlipinos were very fond OF their
vine, and had complained of the reduc.
lon Of the number OF drinking places,
censes for which we're freely granted
nder the Spanish regime. -
Rev. E. c, Dinwiddie OF the Anti (
aloon League said that the military
uthorlties could have controlled the
tuation, but that failing to do so, the
dvocates of temperance now come to
congress. +
He quoted an article from the WiHs
nd Sbf't NszOS, showing that the
rincipal business street of Manila.
hich formerly contained but q saloons, -
DIV has over 900 saloons, and is a
gular rum row. The rec sipts of the
-incipal saloon were about $7oo night.
mother newspaper article was quoted
the effect thatuthe receipts of one q
my regimental canteen were $I,7oo in
le day, probably pay day. One n
,ent OF beer brewery had sold 1000
Irrels Of beer in one day.
S. E, Nicholson of Baltimore, repre-.
nting the Maryland Temperance
MON, said that this was proper subject
r legislation. Civilization would be
tarded by extension OF the liquor 2
siness.
Mrs Ellis Of the National Women's
lristian Temperance Union said she
400, 900 women who believe
at where liquor goes the betterment T.
the human race would not follow.
1--WE ask you in the name OF God and
manity," she said, "to give those
or FilIpinOs protection from the liquor In
.hic." NJ
DR.. Fisk said he had rejoiced at the +.
"a OF American civilization going into K
= Philippines. w
But stand appalled," he said, "to Pr
: that the first American institution 81
get thoroughly grounded in Manila O
he American saloon, that most fearful II
of vice. Is that the way we Fl
; to give civilization to the Filipinos7" r.
Sc
M