The Washington herald., 1907-08-19

"The abolishment CT the canteen," says
the report Of the Judge Advocate Generals
Office for the fiscal year ended June 80,
1907. has undoubtedly caused the loca-
tion near the military reservations of re-
sorts for the sale OF intoxicating liquors.
which psnder TO the appetities and pas
slons Of those enlisted men who, largely
by reason OF the prohibition in question
frequent the same.
These resorts are beyond the control
Of the military authorities. and their
presence near the military posts is highly
detrimental to military discipline
Attention is called to the law in Ne
brasHa. which prohibits the sale Of liquor
within two and a half miles Of military
post. and Of Illinois. where the limit is
one and one-eighth miles. and Indiana.
where the limit is one mile.
II such legislation, says the report
could be followed in other States where
military posts aye located, the effect
would undoubtedly be conducive ia mill
tary discipline. and reduce the number Of
courts-martlal for offenses due to drunk
enness.
Decrease in Trials.
The total trials by courts-martial during
the year numbered 9,9l3 a decrease Of
6S3 as compared with the year preceding
Desertion heads the list Of causes. there
having been 1.1M men tried for this Of
fense. Thirty-two commissioned officers
were brought before the courts-martial,
their trials resulting IN % convictions
(sentence disapproved in 2 cases. and 8
acuuittals TWO cadets were tried and
convicted. OF the enlisted men, 3,554 were
convicted (sentence disapproved in 30
cases. and 300 acquitted.
The number Of cases tried by summary
courts-marlial during the year was con
siderabiy less than for the preceding year,
amounting 90 q reduction OF about : per
cent. II is stated that it is believed that
q still further dimiaution in the number
of trials would result If a more general
use were made OF the disciplinary meas
ures authorized by the army regulations.
and that this could De effected without
in any way impairing the standard Of
discipline
-Four officers were dismissed by sen
tence, as against fourteen last year. In
two cases. the sentences of dismiss al
were commuted 20 loss of rank.
About u per cent Of the enlisted men
convicted by general courts-martial re-
ceiyed sentences involving dishOnorable
discharge. and reports from several Of the
departments indicate that about 10 per
cent Of these sentences were awarded in
view Of previous convictions.
Reduction in Discharges.
The report shows that the amendment
Of the Executive order prescribing limits
Of punishment for enlisted men. made
June J.. 1906. restricting the use Of preyi-
GUS convictions Tor tie purpose Of dis
charge 20 those followed by sentences of
not less. substituuons considered. than
forfeiture Of SO or confinement at hard
labor for twenty days. has reduced tbs
discharge imposed on account Of preyi-
Gus convictions from about "a to about 10
per cent.
The practice Of selling clothes Issued to
enlisted men, 1t is stated, continues to
exist, in spite Of the efforts looking 20
its suppression which have been put
forth by the department in recent years.
The offenders. the report says. have
been vigorously prosecuted in several
jurisdictions. but not always with the
success corresponding 70 the efforts put
forth 20 secure convictions. The United
States. Il IS stated. has been obliged 70
suffer a considerable pecuniary loss in re-
placing articles Of lost clothing and
equipage, thus criminally disposed Of.
In regard TO the corps of judge 2dvO-
Gates clerks. il is said that in view Of
the character Of their work, they should
receive salaries equal TO those now paid
paymasters' clerks.