New-York tribune., 1909-10-17
Noted Leaders Agree with
Opinion Expressed by
General z. u. Grant.

,,s-,. ,noa bv the brentwood Company
That the Secretary of War should have de-
elined to consider the protests presented 10 ms
department against the outspoken championship
OF the cause Of prohibition by Major General
Frederick D. Grant is quite in accordance with
the policy not alone Of the federal adm'nlsr@-
ton. but with that Of almost every other civil
ized government For. without entering into
any discussion on the merits or dement's OF the
oanteen system. the ministers OF war ana o.
L c navy OF all the great military and marluhe
uowers are strenuously endeayOring TO foster
temperance, not so much a matter OF prlh-
ciple as for the reason of the degree 20 which
II increases and promotes the efficiency OF the
men subject TO their control In these days OF
modern warfare and of arms Of precision II Is
no longer ferceness, fury and reckless dash
that are required of soldiers and of sailors. but
calmness. collectedness, the exercise Of every
intellectual faculty and endurance. These are
impaired by the use of intoxicating liquors. but
promoted by abstinence, and among those who
think like General Frederick d. Grant are Field
Marshal Lord wolseley, his brother, Field Mar
shal Lord Kitchener. and most of the generals
who have served under the latter in Egypt. IN
South Africa and I'm India. Admiral Lord Charles
Beresford. and many another military and naval
commander Of equal note and standing.
Wolseiey has long. been an enthusiast on the
mander I'm chief of the British army, I'm sue
cession 10 the late Duke of Cambridge. he in
augurated a series Of careful and exhaustive
experiments with the object Of ascertaining the
comparative effects of alcohol and Of total alb
stinenoe upon the physical endurance and the
staying qualities OF the troops. Advantage was
taken of the annual manmuvres. as we'll as Of
those petty wars of which England has always
few on hand in part another OF the
world 10 investigate carefully the problem. One
regiment would be deprived of every drop OF
stimulant: another. belonging 10 the same bri-
gade. would be allowed to purchase as usual its
malt liquors al the canteen. while third prob
ably a Highland corps. would receive a sailors
ration Of grog. in the form of Scotch Whiskey
in each instance the experiment went to show
that whereas at first the corps which had ra-
ceiyed an allowance Of grog surpassed the Others
in dash and impetuosty of attack yet that
after the third fourth day its members be-
gan 10 show notable signs of lassitude and a
lack Of spirit and endurance. The same mani
festations, though in a minor degree. were oh
served in the regiment restricted to malt
liquors: whereas the men who had been kent
from every sort of stimulant increased in STAY
ing power alertness and vigor every day.
NO LIQUOR ON MARCH TO KHARToUM
1t was as the result Of these experiments that
Ni'eii'iIei or gained MS Anglo -Egyp-
tan force for the final march upon Kbartopn,
for the reconquest of the Soudan and the 6o-
struction Of the Mahd he declined to allow, .
single drop OF stimulant in his army. save Ior
hospital use. Spirits wine and malt liouors
We're barred from the officers mess table as
Wen as from the regimental csnteen ans from
the generals down TO the drummer bows and
camp followers liquid refreshments were re-
stricted 70 tea and oatmeal water When one
remembers how devoted the Englishman is 70
his beer. the Scotchman 70 his mountain dew,