New-York tribune., 1903-03-22
FAVOR THE CANTEEN.
Officers at Fort Niagara Urge Its
Restoration.

11-orh,u,.o, Morch q The War Department has
received some interesting reports from Fort NJ
agara. New-York. on the condition OF olseipiio
at that post among the soldiers OF the hshuhS SUI
Infantry The writer's OF the reports are the COM
pany commanders. who have been with tnelr NE"
In the Philippines and China They are unaniinous
that discipline has become harder TO MAINTAIN aiiu
the discomfort of the soldiers has been increasing
becausa NJ the lack Of the canteen feature of the
post exchange All the Officers agree that II "ou!o
be better for the health and morality OF the men IL
the post exchanges permitted to sell peer anu
other light drinks OF course, the War Department
has no authority TO grant such permission but the
comments of the officers are none the less IN
structve Captain II. F. Rethers' commanding
Company A. says:
Under present conditions the average soldier or Is
month and his cravinGs are satisfied stter Tstber ne
esves his pay by an 1e ba IN he is soon
Gated dsgraces his uniform in public sfrG@ts sv sTe'
There is no meaner character TO deal with nor
obnoxious TO other men IN qnrneTy af bow
ever. with the privilege open TO him by haV!f 5iar a
%as NOT Sc EASILY aected nor he inclined
indulge in strong alcoholic drinks IN we" t M oI
curbed or destroyed hy legislation, 1t would be far
beneficial to the service anf more We're his in
cina ations met half way by allowing the prViLseee ne
Cdmpany's aficiency that occurs every PAYDAY, I
firmly hNeye that men VIII i moro re Tsman IN the
Garrison. and less desrous Of visiting the grog-
gerieS outside the reSerNatlon
Captain F. L. Munson. Company D. says:
an or two beng dTugged and robbed in
Of the many low dives outside the post SucE an
MT GTns nSTS oesrs IA are
their recommendations for the saie OF peer ,t a m % aI
ways Of the hest quality. while that sold IN the
found in their reports Of the Very low grade Of
whskey that is sold to the e men @ IN fhG the
sick list than any other known cause: absences
Hdsey Relieve it is almost entirely due the
abolition of the sale Of beer in the post Ny Ny men men
cured in the saloons near the post SO they nnd @ IL
tant5 in order to get the quality they desire. Be
they have had to go so far. and at no little
aaRTd rom n o9e To da that
view of these facts earnestly believe that the ne
morality and dscpline Of the command nan would .b be
Iea @ IN m me oG Pfi 81 me sale of beer in the post
Eany The records not only show it. but the men men
observation. report such to be the case.
Captain P. c. Harris. commanding Company c,
says:
Ny, opinion is that drunkenness among the en-. en-
aboishment Of the cantesn. though absence from
my company for the last two years has prevented
me from observing what change II any. has actu-
ally resulted.
Major F. B, Robertson, 9Th Infantry. says:
Being in China hin @ during the he six qphs td
lowing. / had excellent opportunity Of observ-
Ing our soldiers whom the aboshment Of the can
teen occurred and also the conduct Of the Ganteen
conducted by the various foreign forces. Without
exception they each had the Canteen for the SOL
dters, where beer and light wines were sold. Our
men, being denied like privilege either patroEized
foreign canteens, when permitted else the low
grogshupS. a number of which within easy
reach of and under control 1t
seems but conclusion be drawn when
pairing the excellent quality OF beer and light wines
as sold In the canteen with the cheap whskey and
the native Filipino vino the Chinese liquor.
sam shuey." According to personal observations
and the medical reports. the drinking Of such vile
liquors sold in the native shops and low
grOggeres go incapacitates soldier that he is led
remain longer absent without leave. and when hs
does return II usually takes several days before
is fitted perform his duty properly. Further
more 1t is undoubtedly the direct Of many OF
the intestinal troubles which afict soldiers IN
the Philippines.