The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1912-08-10
Continued from page ~
TEMPERANCE IN THE ARMY.

the work of the C. T. A. U. has been
of great educational service In the
cause of temperance and kindred vir-
tues we also have lectures from the
medical and from the moral aspects,
by the surgeon and by the chaplain.
Officers of the Army are human and
consequently humane. Men who come
to the Army the slaves of drink, or
who acquire the habit from neighbor-
ing pitfalls, are treated with patient
firmness. If they respond and reform,
as many do, they often become our
most valued soldiers, giving counsel
and example to others. If they are
obdurate, they are punished and dis
missed from the service. Inside the
post the soldier is safe. He is among
his friends. 1t is only when he goes
outside that he is in danger and the
danger zone is usually just on the
edge of the reservation where are con-
gregated a swarm of vile dives, the
so-called American saloon" where
men are robbed of their money and of
their reason. These dens of death and
disease are the cause of nearly all
soldier trouble Outside of our juris-
diction, they aaunt their trade in our
faces and defy interference.
How to Deal With the Problem.
How to deal with the problem has
given serious concern to the military
authorities, and the restoration of the
canteen has been suggested. There
are arguments on both sides-I told
no brief from the brewer-and if the
restoration of the canteen and the sale
of beer would mean the establishment
of another saloon, I would be opposed
to it. If, however, it means the regu-
lation and control of the situation, and
the restoration of that control in the
hands of the commanding officer, as l
believe that it will, would welcome
the change. The Army, like a bust
ness corporation, should control it's
own affairs. Like the Church, it has
means from within for the correction
of abuses. 1t does not believe in the
efficacy of interference, or of reforma-
tons from the outside. A light is
thrown on the situation by the follow
ing incident.
Some years ago | was stationed in
large cantonment of troops in the
Central Philippines. We were under
canvas during the wet season Around
the reservation were numbers Of
saloons on land owned or controlled
by an American, who first followed
the flag and then followed the Army.
The sanitary situation outside of the
Post was not satisfactory, as a couple
of fiurries of cholera had recently
visited the barrio. The moral situa-
ton was worse. 1t was desirable to
keep the men at home, and to that end
some officers arranged to have small,
but sufficient supply of wholesome
German beer in bottles, distributed to
their men. 1t seemed a military neces-
sity. What happened afterward now
appears: The saloon keepers appealed
to the lessor of their land and shacks
He had powerful political friends in
the States. A peremptory cable came
from Washington to the effect that 1T
is reported that Army Regulations are
being violated at your Post" etc.
Thus, Congressional anti-canteen legis-
lation, inspired by Christian Temper
ance people of the United States, and
incorporated into Army Regulations,
was invoked by the saloon keepers to
help them in their business, and to
leave the soldier their prey Signifi-
cant, isn't it? | don't know what the
sentiment of this audience is concern
ing the canteen, but the history of
the Catholic Total Abstinence Union
shows that it has been always brave,
fair, and consistent. To all others /
would ask, in the words of the old
darkey's prayer, IF you won't help
me,-Lord, please don't help the bear"