New-York tribune., 1900-05-07
C4NTEEN SYSTEM IN LUZON.
CHAPLAIN BELIEVES IT AN IMPROVEMENT
ON FORMER PLAN-APPEAI.
TO AMERICANS

Washington. May (SpecaD.-Chaplain Charles
c. Pierce, of the United States Army. who has
been with the troops in Luzon since February 4,
1899 has made official report to Adjutant-G Gen
eral Corbn upon the physical and moral welfare of
the American soldiers in the Philippines. He says
in part:
l have been pained TO note In many alleged inter-
views In newspapers disposition to give to the
statement that but two saloons existed in Manila
at the time OF It's occupation by the Americans. As
say that this figure small and although it is
also true that there are not SO many Of item n as
to involve net increase in the number OF places
contrary. dminution. The truth is land l have
not yet seen a statement OF this fact in any news
paper purportng to give an interview with persons
who have returned from there) that the American
saloon has superseded something else. What il has
superseded is a most important question in this
when first saw Manila the streets were practl-
f lined ned with {5e III bPa , hgs perhaps about
ing at merely nominal prices not only fruit and
tobacco. but also native gin. These gin shacks'
drinking places existing at the beginning, and their
number was very large The character of this
effect upon such OF used 1t de-
who never recovered from the effects of drinking
it. One OF them had been in the service about
personal conversation with me "a commendation so
and sodierly honor that it might be coveted BY
any He had never been drunkard. but this
became maddened. and fingered in his delirium a
whole week never having recovered his al
the time of his death.
our authorities to work to restrict this traf-
ic. by a system which finally resulted in it's
prohibition. / am not personally an advocate of
any saloon but / forced to give my testimony
that the substitution OF the regimenta canteen in
which only beer sold, in place of this traffic
in native gin resulted in a immediate and per-
ceptible Improvement in the sobriey of the troops
The whole history of our occupation OF Manila has
been of development and progress along
physical intellectual and moral lines and believe
that man could refuse to admit II had he been
permitted the progress OF this work and
to be admitted. to some slight extent. into the
confidence of those who are encouraged. |
that the desire of the authorities would involve
the further dininutiOn of these saloons by
gradual process
The critics OF those who have this work In charge
may have share in the Improvement OF our
men, which Is practical than criticism
In the first place they should to II that some
provision is made through Congress for furnish
Ing chaplain for each regiment stationed there
sstently be given 10 all of troops. In the
second place. their contributions ought to be given
to those who have in mind the establishment OF
reading rooms and clubhouses for soldiers so that
men may find some other place. furnished by
Christian people, which is bright and as at
tractive them III their leisure hours as the saloon
itself These will doubtless serve 70
lesson greatly the attendance saloons and
conceive IL 10 be the duty OF the American people
10 hold their territory and fight their battles (as
brave and noble, and true body OF men as ever
stood In the defence of any nation) TO make
sacrifices II need be. to insure establishme nj
of such agencies may. along the line OF moral
suason and religious influence. counteract moro