Evening star., 1904-01-23
THE SOLDIERS CLUBS
Operation Of the Army Can
teen in Cairo.
LESS DRUNKENNESS
EGYPTIAN HOTELS AND BOARD
ING HOUSES CHEAP.
Have to Make Their Profit in Four
Months Of the Year-Poor People
Live Like Animals.
LESS DRUNKENNESS
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.


BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star end
Chicago ord-Herald.
CAIRO, December "a, 1908.
Perhaps those who refuse to accept the
testimony of the loyal and conscientious
officers and soldiers Of our own army re-
garding the benefits of the canteen may
be willing to accept the evidence of Lord
Cromer concerning the operation of the
plan in Egypt and its effect upon the
morals and habits Of the soldiers. In his
latest report to the government In London
he says:
"An experiment under somewhat novel
conditions has recently been tried in Cairo,
with the twofold object of enlivening the
ordinary life of the British soldiers in gar
rison and of providing an antidote against
drunkenness. Without going into the de-
tails of the rules, I may say that prac-
tically every one wearing the kings uni
form may make use of the club without
paying any subscription An officer is pres
ident Of the club, and the finances are
placed under the supervision of commit
tee of officers, but the detailed management
is entirely in the hands of the men them
selves They are responsible for the good
behavior and orderly conduct of the MEM
bers. The only penalty for misconduct is
that the offending member may be pre-
cluded from using the club either perma-
nently or for fixed period. should add
that alcoholic drinks are supplied in
moderation.
Reduction Of Drunkenness.
1.-THE soldiers belonging to the Cairo gar
rison have amply justified the confidence
reposed in them. The average daily attend
ance Is over 200. On some days, more es-
pecially on Saturdays and Sundays, some
300 to 400 men use the club. About 100
meals are served daily. I am informed
that since the creation of the club there has
been reduction of no less than 33 per cent
in cases of drunkenness among the garrf-
son.
much required in Cairo. Previous to the
creation of the club the soldier when once
outside the barracks, was almost forced to
go for amusement or refreshnent to one
of the numerous bars or. public houses,
which abound in the town, where he was
but too often supplied swtth.sthe most
poisonous liquor and exposed to tempta-
tions of various kinds. MY main object,
however, in giving publicity to- the facts,
is that it seems to me possible that, even
in other garrison towns where the special
circumstances which prevail in Cairo do
not exist, or exist in less degree, it may
pt lOuuu eApeuleHl 10 Try somewhat
similar experiment. I repeat that the spe-
cial features Of the Cairo institution are %
management by the soldiers themselves;
(0 permission to supply alcoholic drinks in
moderation.
Il need not in this place enter into the
financial details connected with this subject,
but the proper authorities would, without
doubt, be able to furnish informa ton on
these matters, in case it should be re-
CURED" 10
Postal Savings Banks
The postal savings bank system was in
troduced into Egypt March 1, 1901, and
twenty-seven offices were established The
annum. The deposits are limited to $3.50 in
a single year and to a total of 81 600. The
plan has proved great success, and the
classification by races of depositors shows
that the Egyptian population, for whom 1t
was intended, have responded in prompt
and appreciauve manner and realize the
benefits of storing up their earnings. No
institution of the kind has ever before been
known in Egypt. The regular banks pay
interest upon large amounts and permanent
deposits only. There has never been an in
stitution in which a poor man could leave
a dollar or two at time and draw interest.
The Mohammedans, who constitute a ma
jority of the population, are opposed to the
system on principle; but many of them have
compromised with their scruples and have
taken advantage of the offer of the govern
ment. Their objection is based upon pas
sage in the Koran which forbids them to
collect interest on money loaned. A strict
Mohammedan will loan money to a neigh
Dor in distress, as commanded by the
prophet, but it would be violation of di-
vine and moral law for him to accept in re-
turn more than the original amount loaned.
Therefore you seldom find MusSulmans in
tie banking business. They allow the Ar
menans, Greeks and Jews to monopoliZe
that kind of business throughout all Islam,
from the Golden Horn to the Yellow Sea.
The new post office banks within two
years show a total of 6,740 depositors, of
whom 1897 are Egyptians (probably one
half of them Mohammedans) and 2,543 for
eigners. OF the foreigners LIZA are 1tal-
ians, $50 British and the remainder of other
nationalties. OF the Mohammedan deposit
tors, who number at least 1000, $40 were
SO conscientious as to decline the interest
upon their deposits. They were willing to
take advantage of the facilities offered, but
prophet
Visits of Tourists to Cairo.
At Cooks Agency 1 am told that nearly
5000 visitors came to Cairo last winter, and
about one-half of them were Americans.
The Germans were second in number and
after them the English and French. There
were probably more English in the city than
either Americans or Germans but they were
Gation and did not stop at the hotels or
patronize the tourist agencies.
The English are the life of the town. Not
less than 500 families, many of them with
sons and daughters, are living in Egypt
permanently, and as many young officers
add to the gayety of the social life. Their
striking uniforms, which are unlike any
thing ever worn by our soldiers, are to be
seen on every festive occasion. They wear
a great deal of scarlet and gold. The or
dinary fatigue or half-dress uniform is
red Eton jacket, coming down only to the
waist, with elaborate patterns embroidered
upon the front, the back and sleeves. Dur
ing the hot weather they wear similar jack
cts of white linen without wastcoats. Their
trousers are either white with cord down
the seams or dark blue with a strip of gold
braid During the day they wear khaki
uniforms, with helmets of the same color or
pure white linen. 500 'tt
On Sundays every British officer ana
many of the civilians employed by the
Egyptian government feel it their duty to
attend church. That admirable habit may
be found among British soldiers and sailors
wherever you go in the world. On every
British ship morning prayer according to
the Church OF England is read as regularly
as Sunday comes around,r and If there is no
minister among the passengers the captain
or the purser officiates. The English church