The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-12-18
KAlSER'S BAN ON ALCOHOL
Emperor Says Victory Next War Will Cown Flag of Nation
Which Is Most Temperate.

two years he has never neglected an OPP
portunity OF impressing its advantages
not only among his soldiers and their
officers. but also among students who.
terminating their education, are about to
join the colors to fulfill that military
service which is obligatory upon every
German citizen. Most of the great sol
diers of the present day are imbued with
the advantages of temperance among the
troops
According to Field Marshal Lord Kiteh-
ener, not only are a soldiers staying
powers augmented by abstinence from
stimulants, but likewise his shooting is
improved, In these days especially, with
the new quck-fring rifles and guns,
there is a tendency on the part of the
troops to fire wildly and 10 squander
their ammunition at the very outset OF
the engagement The object Of the Off
GERS is to keep their men calm, cool col
lected. and free from excitement, so that
they may reserve their fire for the proper
moment and then shoot 10 hit. This be-
Gomez matter of difficulty when the
soldiers nave been wrought up by even
ever so small a draft OF what is
known as Dutch courage" The spec
tacle OF bloodshed and the noise and din
OF battle are quite sufficient In them
selves not only 10 produce excitement.
but also to arouse all the latent DISPOSE
ton 10 savagery that turks in every hui
man breast. This being the case, is ii
polite 10 still further inhame the pas
siOns and to lessen the restrictions OF
civilization by the use Of stimulants?
Field Marshal Lord Wolseley, like Mai
Gen. Frederick d. Grant in the United
States always has been an enthusiast on
the subject Of temperance in the army,
and during his term as COMMANDMENT
chief he inaugurated a series OF expert
ments with the object of ascertaining
the comparative effects OF alcohol and of
total abstinence upon the physical endur-
ance of the troops. Advantage was taken
of the annual maneuvers. as well as Of
those petty wars which England has al
ways a few on hand in one part or an
other OF the world, 10 investigate the
problem
What the Experiments Proved.
One regiment would be deprived of
every drop OF stimulant. another belong
ing 10 the same brigade would be allowed
to purchase its usual amount OF malt
liquors at the canteen, while a third,
probably a Highland regiment, would re-
ceive a sailors ration of grog in the form
or SCOTCH WHISKY IN EACH Instance ltlt
experiment went TO show that whereas
az first the corps which had received an
allowance Of gros surpassed the others
in dash and impetuosity of attack. yet
that after the third or fourth day its
members began to show noticeable signs
OF lassitude and lack Of spirit and endur-
ance. The same manifestations. though
in a minor degree. were observed in the
regiment restricted TO malt liquors,
whereas the men who had been kept
from every sort OF stimulant increased in
staying power, alertness, and vigor every
day
II was as a result Of these experiments
that when Lord Kitchener organized his
Anglo Egyptian force for the reconquest
OF the Sudan he declined TO allow a sin
gle drop Of stimulant in his army save
for hospital use Spirits, wine, and malt
liquors were barred from the officers
mess table. as wen as from the regi-
mental canteen. and from the generals
down 10 the drummer boys and camp fol-
lowers liquid refreshments were restrict
ed to tea, coffee. and oatmeal water
Thanks 10 this, the men were able to
make forced marches OF the most ex-
traordinary character across the burning
desert and under a blazing equatorial
sun. And in spite OF the reputation Of
the Sudan for a climate so deadly 70
white people, there never had been until
then a campaign where there was so
little sickness and where the troops were
got into such magnificent physical and