The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-11-28

Washington, November 24-The war
department is in constant receipt of
data concerning the canteen question
and the effect of its abolition upon the
army. Apropos of this, the statement
us made at the war department that
Ionly such information as a been con-
Itained in the reports of army officers
upon the subject has been given 10 the
public and it is denied that any effort
has been made to influence public opin-
ion on the matter.
1t is said at the department that the
Recommendations of the adjutant gen.
Ieral in his annual report, were based
upon the information contained in these
reports. 1t is pointed out thai the ex-
~iistence of something like 1,400 saloons
lin the vicinity of the army posts is
shown by the reports received at the
department, go to 800 of which are said
to have been opened since the closing
of the canteen. This further statement
is made at the department.:
THE majority of posts have report
led that drunkenness and court-mar-
Itials for drunkenness have increased;
that desertion and absence without
lleaVe 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 commanders are, in
of frequent charges of garrison and
from the absence of correct data upon
which to base comparisons. unable to
report as the degree Of detriment Great
led by the closing of the canteen, it
can be stated as an absolute fact tina
i'm no single case has a post commander
Expressed an opinion that the effect Of
the abolition of the sale of beer in the
army has resulted in improved con-
iditions."
With reference to the reports from
the Philippines. a statement has been
Brigadier General Sanger. inspector
general of the division of the Philip
pines.
After narrating the evil effects upon
the human system of the native liquors
the statement continues:
ITO remedy these conditions, the post
Exchange, at which light beer was sold,
was exercising a wholesome influence,
and General Sanger believes that the
Exchange should be again made a pos
Isibility by removing all restrictions on
the sale of beer and light wines.
T the fear, so often expressed by
the opponents of the canteen system.
That ~ -al1 &c l1o- -o-1 -, -
induce habits of intemperance, General
Sanger shows from a careful census OF
the 342 companies of troops in the Phil
Iippine Islands that in sixty companies
levery enlisted man used vinous, malt,
;or spurious liquors at date of enlist
Iment; in 100 companies between ninety
and one hundred per cent; in fifty
lcent.; in &c companies between 20 and
$50 per cent: in twenty companies be-
tween 60 and 20 per cent Unfortunate
lily quite a number of men habituaIly
drink to excess and as this number
will probably increase if the men arr
Obliged, as now, to resort to native
liquors in order to satisfy what tC
IHIdHS VI lieIl Il d ptIIeICS Adluid
lcraving. the result will be most de.
Iplorable. General Sanger conclude:
with the remark that it is hardly prob.
able, in view of this Information, thai
congress shall continue the prohibition
AGAINST the cantaen when it is evident
that the sale Of beer would be a pre-
lcaution against the pernicious habit!
above stated and their fatal and disas.
ItrOuS results.