Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-24

acter, is very little less than 400 Of which
number between go and 300 have been
started at posts within the United States
since the closing Of the canteen. The ma
jority of posts have reported that drunken
ness and courts-martial for drunkenness
have increased: that desertion and absence
without leave has increased; that the effect
Of the closing Of the canteen upon the
morality, discipline and health Of the troops
has been bad. and. while many post COM
manders are. in consequence of frequent
changes of garrison and from the absence
Of correct data upon which to base COM
parsons, unable to report as to the degree
Of detriment created by the closing of the
canteen, it can be stated as an absolute fact
that in no single case has post command
er expressed an opinion that the effect Of
the abolition of the sale Of beer In the
army has resulted In improved conditions
These reports are too voluminous to at
tempt to give them out to the press, and 1t
would be invidious to select those that
show the worst conditions resulting from
the closing Of the canteen, but they are on
file at the call Of Congress should it desire
them.
Conditions in Philippines.
The foregoing remarks relate principally
to posts In the United States. In the Phil
ippine Islands, where the greater part Of
the army has been stationed for the past
four years and where one-third of the in
fantry and cavalry is permanently station
ed, peculiar conditions prevail that require
special treatment. The situation In the is
lands Is clearly epitomiZed in the report of
Brig Gen. ]. P. Sanger. inspector general
Of the Division Of the Philippines. In his
report dated June 30, 1902, and published in
the annual report Of Maj. Gen. Chaffee,
Gen. Sanger who, by himself or an assist
ant has visited during the year every one
Of the $50 occupied places In the Islands
remarks that from the monotony OF his ex-
istence the enlisted man in the Philippine
Islands has become the absolute victim OF
his environment. Rendered more or less
Indifferent by the climate, deprived Of pleas
ant and exciting recreations amusements
and sports and lacking prompt and regular
communica ton with the outside world, his
life is absolutely colorless. and. as a result
he associates more or less with the native
population and soon adopts some of their
habits. with disa greeable consequences.
Among the worst Of these is the use Of ma
tive drinks, which not only contain ethylic
alcohol, which is the alcohol in good liquors,
but the methylic and amylic alcohol, or
fusl oil, and furforal the effect of which
Is a maniacal excitement, often with homf-
c,dal and suicidal tendencies and with an
after depression that becomes chronic melan-
cholia and often insanity. The effects on the
physical condition of the person are severe.
usually inducing Inflammation of the stom-
ach and clrrhotic changes In the liver and
kidneys. To RENE dy these conditions. the post
exchange, at which light beer was sold was
exercising wholesome influence, and Gen.
Sanger believes that the exchange should
be again made a possibility by removing
all restrictions on the sale Of beer and light
wines.
Enlisted Mems Drinking Habits.
To the fear, so often expressed by the op-
ponents Of the canteen system. that the sale
Of beer would initiate or induce habits OF
intemperance. Gen. Sanger shows from q
careful census of the $40 companies Of
+ troOpS in tho phltnpipo Isla pds that In fa1
companies every enlisted man used v.nous.
malt or spurious liquors at date OF enlist
ment: In 100 companies. between 90 and 100
per cent; In So companies, between 80 and 90