The Appeal., 1902-02-22

while they mentally count ten The stuff
is strong and has an immediate effect
Too much of 1t makes the tongue thick
while vino generally loosens it. T.: ~
Seriously, and after much study of the
conditions over there, I would say that
most of the trouble among our men could
have been avoided had the canteen not
been abolished. A well regulated canteen
would have been the saving of many a
good soldier who has been killed or
wrecked by vino or other native drinks
: You must remember that the ma jority Of
men drink, and soldiers are men. In that
climate 1T is the advice Of doctors that
the men take a little stimulant discreetly.
for the sake Of their health; but how can
man be discreet with vino? You may as
well tell him to play with a cobra dis
creetly, as the first drink takes away all
discretion. When we had canteens or
post exchanges there the men got the beer
to which they were accustomed, and were
satisfied with 1t. Though it was sold
cheaply there was profit in it, and this
profit went into the company fund and
came back to the men at mess in the
shape of better food than the regular ra-
t1ons This meant healthier and more
contented lot of men, and therefore better.
soldiers Besides that there was always
good reading material at the q post ex-
change, and the men met each other on AZ
friendly, social footing. When the can
teen went all that went. There Is little
money in the company fund now, for the
men spend it outside for vino and other
drinks for which they pay far more than
they did for the beer in the canteen. The
mess is poor also, because the natives and
Chinese get the money that once went
back to the men in the shape Of good
food. II ~ -a s$ss - s.
.ts After all my experience I can honestly
say that 80 per cent Of all the crimes
and ofenses against discipline have been
caused by vino, and that vino has been
forced upon the men by the taking awav
of the canteen. . 81 5s 5S 1. + q
I. The latest order issued by Bri9adier
General Bell is more severe than any
previous one. It makes not only the
drinking of vino, but also it's purchase !:
military offense. The order also includes
kindred drinks, such as anisado. tuba
basi and other dangerous native spirits.
which have an effect SO similar TO that
Sof vino that 1t is certain It enters largely
into their composition. Gen Bell, IN cit-
ing the serious consequences OF induI-
sgence in vino, gives the following:
~ Acute insanity frequently resulting n
death within a few days. Sas%
4 Many cases OF serious disability, re-
sulting in discharges on surgeons GER
Etifcate. a .31s
Large numbers of grave crimes, incIud-
ing murder and attacks on women, re-
sulting IN frequent trials and punish
meTts. 81 81 IS s1# #1SSss5s 50
Many other abuses and outrages com
mitted to the discredit OF the United
states and of Americans.
The order also requests officers to pre-.
vent the intimidation of natives by sol
5dfers who wish to force them to sell vino
contrary to orders, and closes with S All
officers are enjoined to use their utmost
endeavors to discourage the continuance
of this suicidal custom, which is alarm
ingly on the increase, and which amounts
to self-poison, an act condemned by the.
laws of all civilized nations"