Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-31
PLEA FOR THE CANTEEN.
Gen. Baldwin Believes Its Absence Is
Harmful.

Cen F d. Baldwin, commanding the D'
nartment of Colorado. in his annual repor'
m the Secretary of War, makes an urgent
nlea for the re-establishment or the army
canteen as being for the best interests Vi
the service. The general directs Afternoon
to the remarks of Lieut.. Colonel George M
Dunn. Judge advocate of his department, II
regard to the number of court-martial cases
among the enlisted men the last year. Col
Dunn says there have been 2Ol SUCH cases
24IS trials by summary court-martial and
1913 assertions. In this connection he ADDS
These assertions can be in a large part
attributed to the malign influences of sa-
looms and brOthels situated near the res
ervations, seducing enlisted men from the
paths of decency. This Is only another OF
the many arguments in favor of restoring
to the army the canteen, which provides
places OF amusement and social intercourse
where men could get light refreshments I'M
der restraining, decent and orderly infiu-
ences.'
In commenting upon these remarks Cen
eral Baldwin says:
II fully concur in these views and trust
that the sale of beer and light wines, I'M
der proper restrictions. may again be au-
thorized In the post exchange II men are
unable to get a glass of beer in decent
and orderly manner in the garrison, they
will resort to the vile brothels which clus-
ter around the borders OF the reservations,
beverages and often sink into debauchery
and ruin
Gen. Carter's Opinion.
so long the misguided Christian wo-
men OF America insist upon carrying the
canteen question into politics young SOL
diers whose powers of resistance to tempta-
ton are below the normal not firmly
exercised, viii continue to fall victims to
the plaques of service in India and the
orient Observation-Disclosures dissolute
company and venereal Diseases"
This Is one OF the closing sentences in the
annual report of Brig Gen William n
Carter. comma nding the Department of the
Nisayas in the Philippines He further saws
that with the well-regulated post exchange
of former days the weak had a choice of
evils and generally chose the Ieast-the pure
beer OF the exchange. The construction of
the new posts has been followed by the
usual crop OF saloons and disreputable peo-
pie The experience of the army during the
past six years has left doubts in the
minds of those OF long service in these. is
lands. says General Carter. that the effect
OF native drinks on Americans is violent
and deletertous In the extreme and the
men generally appreciate that fact
Gen. Carter strongly urges the encourage
ment OF athletic sports to supply the pres
ent lack OF means of recreation and care
fully regulated and abundant employment
"a the most wholesome antidote for the
effects of Philippine service in time Of
peace He holds that the number of troops
In the islands and their distribution should
be definitely determined. No Instruction
or invasion can succeed IL deprived OF the
control OF Manila and the principal seaport
cities. and their occupation Is a military
necessity. Temporary construction and
mskeshifts of every kind only serve to de-.
velop and confirm in the minds OF Filipinos
the idea that Americans do not intend to
hold the islands permanently. so the matter
~ properly one for the study OF the general
stan.
considerable portion of the report deals
WIN the operation OF ladrones In this de-
psrtment during the past year, and Gen.
carter says; Il am Of the opinion that 1t
Is or no benefit to the good people of these
islands and Will delay their ultimate Amer
lcanization. IL the evil element ia allowed
10 threaten. harass or openly attack Amer
lean soldiers without Immediate action nv
the commanding officer nearest to the pIare
where the offense Is committed" The rea
SON OF this complaint Is a general order
which leaves only the civil authorities to
Ceal with such offenders. 1t is said that
the companies have now been reduced to