Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-21

the canteen is directly and indirectly re-
sponsible for a large percentage OF the
increase In assertions in the past few
years. In the latest report OF AdJt Gen.
F. c. Ainsworth we learn that nearly
5000 soldiers deserted in the last fiscal
Year. Think OF it. Filing themselves
with poisonous intoXicants, which take
away their physical. mental and moral
stamina, they become discouraged. The
routine drills and vigorous exercises be-
come burdensome to them They take
French leave" to escape, many never 10
return unless compelled to under guard
of a civil officer. who is anxious to get
the $50 reward offered for deserters
apprehension. Those who return after q
few days absence without PERMISSION are
slammed in the mill, where the spllt
is again crushed. and TIE climb to honor
and respect made more difficult than ever
Caught and sentenced for deserton, they
are no longer citizens OF the oniteo
States - truly men without country,
These deserters. then. make nne Hdlerlai
for criminals.
The use OF dope" and the spread OF
contagious diseases are due, In very
large degree, TO the use OF poisonous
intoxicants, which the soldiers get In
these "can-dumps' and dives. When
the system is undermined with such
poisons. the individual becomes the
prey Of all sorts of vices At Preside
Cal. last year 1T was stated by an
army surgeon in charge that 20 per
cent of the men at that post are ad-
dicted to the use of cocaine, morphine.
opium. etc. There are other posts IN
which a similar state OF affairs exists
II is. indeed. no wonder that insanity
is increasing among the men or tho
regular army.
In several posts the sale Of drugs to
dope fiends" has become a profitable
business for peddlers. OF course, this
is against army regulations. but, like
many another rule with reference to
the health and wellbeing OF the SOL
diers, 1t is violated. Many soldiers
have given UP whisky. beer. etc, for
the stronger poisons. IT is needless 10
saw that those who reach this condition
cannot remain very long in the army
They either desert or are given a term
in the suardhouse. after which they
are dishonorably discharged from the
armyIn the last report OF the judge
advocate general there is no mention
of the number of dishonorable dis
charges. outside the desertions. If this
were known the facts would be more
startling even than the number OF de-
sertions, because. since the heavy pen
alties have been placed on desertion,
many OF those who want to get out of
the army before their three years are
up break the rules in order to get five
or more summary" courts-martial, and
then they are tried by a general"
court martial and discharged from The
service.
When ninety per cent of the army on
GERS want the canteen restored to the
enlisted men il is about time that Con-
gresS recognizes its mistake. Those in
a position to know have learned that
by depriving the soldier of his beer and
his social club instead OF encouraging
temperature among the regulars. the gov
eminent has encouraged drunkenness and
paved the way for a score or more evils
Even the officers wives are demanding
that the canteen be re-established. How
long will il be until Congress realizes It's
mistaken a.