Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-27

| as to sobriety.
Discontinuance of the Canteen.
CAS- the result Of my observations it is my
judgment that the discontinuance of the
liquor feature of the canteen has been
beneficial to the army. Now that the
temptation has been removed from the i'm
| mediate presence of the young men of the
army they are less likely to indulge in the
use of liquor. There is a small percentage
of men in the army who were addicted to
strong drink before enlistment, and whether
1t is obtainable in the canteen or not has
very little effect upon such men. They
would resort to places outside the garrison
under any circumstances. Their influence,
however. is less pernictous now than for
| merly. At present the canteens, recreation
rooms or libraries whichever they may be
| called-they are frequently all embraced in
one-are quiet, orderly and occupied by
sober men. Considering the remote and in
some respects, desolate stations this fea
ture of the service requires far more atten-
ton and more liberal appropriations, not
only for the moral, but for the healthful
Well-being OF the army. Every effort should
be made to improve the conditions by af-
fOrding ample comfort and means of recre-
alton and amusement to soldiers under such
circumstances. and l recommend that most
liberal appropriations be made and allow
anceS granted for the further development
and improvement Of this feature Of the
military service. In fact, at every military
post 1t should be made the duty Of some er-
ficient officer to develop and promote this
feature of the service in every way posi-
BILE for the contentment, happiness and
general welfare of the troops
The Troops Required.
"The number of troops that will be re-
quired to occupy the Philippine Islands is
still problematical. While it is claimed that
the people are pacified, evidences of hostil-
ity toward American sovereignty are ap-
parent The newspapers, published in both
Spanish and English, contain almost daily
accounts of hostilities, depreda lions or dis
turbances of the peace. Against these
armed bands the civil government is en-
ploying the constabulary, a force of about
6,OCO men.
I'm my judgment the heavy artillery
troops now in the Philippine Islands should
be withdrawn without delay, as there is no
legitimate use for them In the archipelago,
not single high-power gun or mortar
being mounted, and there probably will not
be for several years. Their services are
required in the United States.
Concerning the mounted troops, there is
quite much. If not more. need for cav
airy in the Philippine Islands as in the
United States. and as some of the cavalry
regiments have never served in the Philip
pines. think it advisable that they should
| share their proportion of the duties in that
country.
IT found large proportion of the troops
occupying church property-monasteries
colleges and converts. This believe to be
entirely wrong, and it should be discon-
tinued without delay. 1t is serious detri-
ment to the property. and while it may pre-
vent destruction by fire to some extent yet
| the damage done to the buildings will be
extensive. They were not constructed for
such purposes. and 1t will simply result in
claims for some millions of dollars being
brought against the United States, which
will undoubtedly have to be paid.
Barracks for the Troops,
Until such time-at present very remote
as it can be determined exactly what
force will be required the troops should
in my judgment, occupy first, the commo-
dious buildings which have been erected by
the Spaniards in the most available parts of
the archipelago, and which are capable of
accommodating, after slight repairs have
been made, approximately 1900 troops;
and, second, nipa buildings, which are the
most suitable that can be used for the SHELF
ter Of troops. They are cool and comfort
able affording ample shelter from the
intense heat of the sun as we'll as from
severe rain storms. I noticed several large
enough to accommodate an entire company
which cost less than $1,000 each. They will
last three or four years. when. If necessary,
they can be renewed. The experience of the
natives for hundreds Of years has demon
strated the utility and economy of this kind
of shelter: besides. If this class Of build
ings is occupied in this way for few
years. it would demonstrate the healthful-
ness or unhealthfulness of certain districts,
thus avoiding the possible mistake of con-
structing permanent buildings in unhealth-
full localities.
while the supplies have. as rule been
abundant and of good quality, there is,
in my opinion. too much cold storage meat
| used for the good of the troops. Its con-
slant use becomes very distasteful. and
| in the opinion of many eminent physicians
1t is not the most healthful. Instead of
bringing SO much frozen meat as at present
| and having 1t stored for a long time in the
cold storage warehouse at Manila and then
| distributed to different posts, it would, in
| my opinion. be advisable to send govern
| ment steamers to Australia and have them
| loaded with live stock. which can be dis
| tributed in small quantities near the DIFF
! ferent garTtsOns 30 that they could at any