The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-11-24
Quotations F1om Reports Of
Prominent Officers IN Tbs
Country and Of Those in
The Philippines.
Denial Of Stories That War
Department Is Sending
Ouf Coiored and One
Sided Figures.

The War Department today made pub
lie the following statement relative to
the effect OF the anti-canteen law on the
army in this country and the Philip
pines:
"The department is in constant re-
ceiDt. both written and verbal, OF re-
quests for recent data concerning the
eanteen question. the consequences. no
doubt. Of the statements that are being
circulated through the press By the peo-
pie who are opposed TO the sale OF beer
in the army, and through whose efforts
it was discontinued. that the War De-
partment is giving Ous such information
as to the results OF the said abolition as
suits its purposes and suppressing all re-
ports that show that the closing Of the
eauteen Las resulted in better conditiCn
in the army
"Of course, this is not true. The de-
partment has given oat no Information
Whatever on the matter except such as
has appeared in the reports Of depart
Dent commanders. and has made no er-
fort. either one way or dnother, TO in
aUenee public opinion on the subject
Immediately upon the passage OF the
law. every canteen in the army was
promptly and summaTiiy closed. result
ing. in many cases. in considerable loss
by reason Of unconsumed stock on hand,
which could not be disposed Of, and ev-
cry application for exemption on ac-
count Of special conditions was inYari-
ably denied
IN order. however. that the depart
ment might be advised as 70 the ef-
feets OF the law post commanders we're
required % reoofr az the close OF gae
year as 10 how many additional liquor
saloons had been opened within q mile
Of the post since the canteen was closed:
whether OF not drunkenness. deserti0a.
absence without leave. and courts-mar-
tial for drunkenness and OTenses caused
by drunkenness had increased or dimin-
ished. as also as TO what was the effect
on the morality. discipline. and health OF
the command As a consequence Of these
reports. the Adjutant General. in his an
nuai report for 1902. has made the fol-
lowing recommendation:
The restoration Of the exchange asw
existed prior to the passage Of the act
OF February ?. 1901. prohibiting the sale
of beer. is desired and urged By the grtet
majority of officers and men. and 5y
none more than those OF pronounced
temperance views Numerous reports
confirm the views long held by this ofice
that the old exchange contributed to So
briefly. health. and contentment OF the
men, The increase OF desertions and Of
trials by infractions OF discipline is. by
those best informed. attributed 70 the
abolition Of the former privileges Of the
exchange.
Liquor Saloons Increasing.
The reports upon which this recon-
mendation was based show that the to-
tai number Of liquor saloons within one
mile OF our military posts. the majority
OF which dispense alcoholic spirits Of the
vilest character. is very little less than
! 400 OF which number between 250 and
800 have been started al posts within
the United States since the closing OF
the canteen.
The majority OF posts have reported
that drunkenness and eourts-martiaI for
have increased; that deser-
tion and absence without leave has in
creased; that the effect OF the closing
OF the canteen upon the morality. dis
cipline and health OF the troops has
been bad. and. while many post CON-
manders are. in consequence OF frequent
changes OF garrison and from the ab-
sence OF correct dat upon which to base
comparisons. una6is to report as 20 the
degree OF detriment created by the clos
ing OF the canteer it can be stated as
an absolute fact that in no single case
has a post comma lder EXPRESSED an
opinion that the en-ct OF the abolition Of
the sale Of beer in the army has resulted
in improved conditions. These reports
are too yOluminOus 10 attczlir: 10 give
them out TO the press. and il would be
invidious TO select those that show ths
worst conditions resulting from the clos
ing Of the caRteen. but they are on hIs
al the call Of Congress. should Il desire
them.
Conditions in the Philippines.
The foregoing remarks relate partio-
ularly TO posts in the Unitea States. n
the Philippine Islands. where the great
er part OF the army has 5een stationed
for the past four years. and where one
third OF the infantry and cavalry is per-
manently sta toned. peculiar conditions
prevail that require special treatment.
The situation IN the islands iSscIear-
ly epitOniIed in the report OF Brig.
Gen j. p Sanger, inspector general OF
the division Of the Philippines. in his
report. dated June 30, 1902. and pub
(Continued On SIKH Page.l