The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1910-09-01
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SEAMEN ARE DRINKING LESS
Increased Sobriety as Result of Work
Of English Society Among Men
of All Nations.

of All Nations.
Some interesting incidents relating
to temperance work among sailors of
the British navy and among seamen
in general have been recently given
out by Secretary Matthews, of the
British and Foreign Sailors society,
the headquarters of which are estab-
iished in the British metropolis. This
organization has over ninety years
work to its credit and stands as one
agents in promoting sobriety among
sailors.
In furthering it's purpose Of admin,
istering to the social intellectual and
religious needs Of seamen, afioat and
ashore, the society comes into helpful
touch with large numbers of foreign
sailors, including Japanese, Greeks,
Scandinavians, French and Spanish
seamen, as well as with those of ma,
tive birth, and by providing rest and
reading rooms, and healthful and
wholesome recreative interests and en-.
vironment during their period on shore
are able to materially Offset the temp
tation or tendency toward drinking
habits. This good work is further
extended to the ships themselves
where ocean loan libraries have been
established with other opportunities
for Improvement and recreation, apart
from the influence of intoxicating
drink.
Records of the work of the past
year show that over 500 meetings
were held on board ship during 1909,
which were attended by more than six
thousand seamen. More than seven
thousand meetings were held on shore,
which were attended by 1886, 146 sea
men, and during the year 1912 tenn
perance pledges were taken. All this
in addition to the long story of ships,
lodging-homes, hospitals and prisons
visited, and the great work of distrib-
uting helpful literature. Branches
are now established in 116 ports and
the wo. i is still extending.
The results of these influences show
well from a temperance standpoint
and are indicated in the testimony OF
admirals and naval officers.
Lord Charles Besesford, on the eve
Of leaving for his short cruise and
before hauling down his flag, wrote
the secretary: Il am we'll aware what
a benefit the Rests of your society are
to the men Of the Royal navy and sail
| ors in general, and the immense good
they do in the maritime community in
promoting sobriety and general well
fare"
Sir Percy Scott, vice admiral, COM
manding the Second Cruiser squadron,
has also written a tribute to the work,
stating that during the visit Of the
squadron to Monte Video, the local or
ganization of the British and Foreign
Sailors society was of the greatest
assistance to the men while ashore
on leave, working with others, and was
highly appreciated.
AS an instance of the growing So
briefly of the British sailor, it may be
added that on the occasion just men,
toned there were $500 men ashore
daily for eight days, and not an odd
police case, nor a single case of
| drunkenness occurred. One fact like
this speaks volumes, and is worth
(as to the character and conduct of
the men, often under trying circum-
stances of treating, etc., volumes of
theories
At the same time, on the other side
of the Great Panama at Buenos Ayres,
some thousand British merchant sea-
men were taken by train on a New
Years picnic. The local press, in re-
porting the outdoor sports, and the
thirsty weather, etc, said: Not one
sailor or fireman was seen the worse
for drink" No one can doubt that
much progress-sOcially and morally,
and especially from a temperance
viewpoint-has been made, all along
the line of the society's work for sea
men.