The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-24
PHILIPPINE SOLDIERS EAT
SHIP CARGOES OF CANDY
Sweets Prove a Cure for
All Sorts of Ills.
STOPS USE OF ALCOHOL
Officers Discover That Sugar Relieves
Exhaustion and Prevents
Drunkenness.
USE OF ALCOHOL

Cultivate a mans sweet tooth and
you'll have 20 trouble keeping him so
Der"
officers in the Philippines have found
candy-any kind from penny sticks to
high-priced chocolates-the best preven-
tive of drunkenness. Where other Ii
quor cures have failed candy has work
ed wonders, and men who have seen
long service in the Philippines swear by
the sweetmeats offered at post stores in
the islands
In the United States the War Depart
ment does not attempt to supply candy
to- troops. but in the Philippines the
subsistence department becomes con-
fectioner TO soldiers and sells them can
dy by the shipload. The candy counter
takes the place Of the canteen and ruins
the market for the native drinks which
have caused so many American soldiers
TO go insane
Gum drops have accomplished wonders
where temperance lectures failed and
marshmallows and fudge threaten the
liquor interests in the Philippines.
Relieves Exhaustion.
In candy. men who have been ex-
hausted by long marches in the hot
climate find the muscle builder which
the system demands No other food is
as satisfying TO the weary campaigner
as sugar. Americans will not eat Phil
ippine candy, and demand just the sort
OF product which may be had at any
candy store in the United States
All the candy sold by army stores is
shipped from the United States. Some
Spanish candy is sold in the islands.
but Americans do not care for it, Eng
hsh candy is also on sale in the larger
cities in the islands. but is not as gen
orally used as the American product
Capt. Charles p. Stivers, of the SUBJ
sistence department. who is now on duty
In this city, is firm believer in the ef-
nclency of candy as a preventative OF
drunkenness, especially in the Philip
pines. While he was on duty at Oras.
in the Island of Samar. Captain Stivers
says he saw 100 soldiers eat 5000 pounds
OF candy In a month, or an average of
a pound OF candy day for each man
When men first go to the Philippines
Captain Stivers says they seem to have
an abnormal appetite for sweets. This
disappears in measure after troops
have been in the islands for year Ii
Philippines TO buy pound of candy and
eat it before he leaves the post store,
and Captain Stivers says he observed
the men who ate large quantities of
sweets did not seem TO care for alcoholic
drinks.
Eaten by Shiploads.
Capt Harry Z. wilkins, OF the sub
sistence department, says the army OF
$4,000 in the Philippines in 1901. bought
about $4,000 pounds of candy every
month from army stores This is an
average OF nearly a pound OF candy a
month for each soldier and is supposed
70 be about Tire normal amount con-
stunned by troops in the Philippines II
is impossible TO obtain figures which will
show "a of
use when stationed in the United States.
Men who are habitually addicted TO the
use OF liquor and tobacco seldom eat
candy. Consequently the amount OF
sweets consumed by the Philippine sol.
diers is eaten by only a part Of tn,
real strength OF the army. In ESTIMATING
the quantity OF smoking or chewing to-
bacco required ~ an army It is GUS
tonary to place il at one pound a
month for each soldier. The subsistence
department also makes it's candy esti
mates on the same basis.
Cures Tobacco Habit.
Candy is frequently prescribed in the
United States as cure for the TO-
bacco habit. Chewing gum is also sand
70 be a good substitute for use while
men are trying TO quit tobacco.
Army officers of wide experience n
the Philippines say they do not think
candy has had any effect on the con
sumption OF tobacco by troops in the
GiSlppiueS- SOiOlerS seem 10 nave z
special craving for tobacco in the Phil
3ppines, and the excessive use Of cigar
cites and tobacco In other forms is not
as dangerous as in colder climate.
The Medical Department has no.
gathered any Information which shows
the effect of the consumption OF sucf
a large quantity of sugar but medical
officers are not inclined TO believe tho
effects can be bad as all the candy Of
fered for sale to soldiers by the Gov
eminent is comparatively pure.