The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-05-31
DisctpItne in the Armr.

The recent occurrences at West Point
and the effects of the anti-canteen law
are two things which. in their acciden-
tai conjunction, are worth serious con-
sideration. since both tend to weaken
military discipline The West Point
mutiny indicated that the cadets wished
to convince the faculty that when it
came TO interfering with a Iong-estab-
lshed tradition, matters were 10 be set
tied not by the authorities in power but
by a consensus of popular opinion, or
rather by the opinion eff the most tur-
bulent element. When the general
character of American youth is consid-
erld. it is not possible to believe that
II . majority Of the cadets were in cor
di 1 sympathy with this infraction of
discipline.
The result of IeRiency with the cadets
who were responsible fer the trouble,
especially If such nIIdness be the result
Of political influence, would, of course.
be the weakening Of discipline in the
army. If a generation of officers is
trained to believe that mutiny is justf-
fable, the outlook for the general who
happens to be in command Of these
subalterns at a critical time is not
hopeful such a commander viii be
forced to acknowledge to himself that
he cannot enforce his authority, no
matter how great may be the~need Of
it, because political influence IS more
powerful than ne, and viii reinstate an
offender If he can get q sufficient
amount Of It It is not good that poll
ties should rule the army.
On the other hand, here is an obvious
Indication that on occasions political in
fuence does rule the army. and that in
ways which affect nobody but the sol
diers themselves and those in their i'm
mediate neighborhood. It was, of
course, nothing in the world but politi-
cal influence, exerted through a most
unrighteous amount Of lobbying. which
effected the anti-canteen legislation.
The people who forced it on the army
were not officers, and had no knowledge
whatever of the conditions existing in
baTTack-Toom life except what they got
from story books Their influence and
arguments were addressed purely to the
voting population. and through it to
Senators and Representatives The
army officers whose business it is to be
responsible for discipline among the
soldiers under their control, who are
thoroughly acquainted with the Condi-
tons Of military life, and to whose in
terest it certa inIy is TO reduce the la
biIity Of drunkenness in the army
these men. the only men in the country
whose judgment was really worth
much in this particular case, were prac-
ucaIly. not consulted at all. Many of
them protested violently against the
abolition Of the canteen, giving reasons
based on experience and thorough
knowledge of the situation why. it
should not be done away with. They
had no personal interest in the matter
except as 1t affected the men. They do
not need the canteen. and If IL were an
evil influence 1t certainly would do
them more harm and give them more
trouble than II would anyone else. Yet.
through political pressure cxerted on
many doubtless weH-meaning but not
well-informed gentlemen, and upon
others who did not bother themselves
about anything but the political aspect
Of the matter, this action was taker
against the judgment of army men and
the interests of the soldiers Obvious
ly such interferences with military dis
cipline viii in the end be anything but
good for the army