New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-18
BRITISH CANTEEN
SCANDAL in COURT
Thirteen Out of Sixteen of the
Accused Appear-One
III in Paris.

London. Jan. 1.-THE charges Of brio-
crv and corruption I'm connection with the
canteen supplies OF the British army were
tho subject to-day Of charges brought AT
tho Row Street Police Court against
eight army officers and non-commissoned
officers and eight civilians The Crown
Prosecutor. r. ID. Muir after reading the
formal charges against the accused, three
OF whom. two officers and one civilian did
not appear. occupied the entire day IN
reading correspondence relating to what
he described as this traffic in bribery.
Mr. Muir contended that the evidence
showed persistent receipts OF brioes by
military men from the civilian defendants
the gifts being handed TO them in order
10 influence contracts and TO prevent com
plants about the high prices.
The case was adjourned until January
a. and II is expected to occupy the courts
for months.
Thirteen OF the accused appeared when
the magistrate called the case. TWO OF
the officers, for some cause or another.
had not answered the summonses, while
one OF the civilians was absent on ac-
count of Illness.
The six officers and two non-commis-
stoned officers involved are all connected
with the quartermaster's department or
the War Office. All the officers have
risen from the ranks.
The bribery and corruption, according
TO the opening speech Of the prosecuting
counsel, have been going on for more
than ten years. He said it might be nee
Al 81 a. Nf
those accused, and al the same time sew
eral officers are being dealt with by mil
itary tribunals.
II. d. Muir. the prosecuting counsel
mentioned incidentally to-day that the
main charge against the civilian defend
ants was directed at them individually
rather than at the firm with which they
were connected.
Archibald Mimic, the civilian defendant
who was unable To appear. owing TO
being i'll i'm Paris. occupied, according 10
counsel. an anomalous position. He WAS
not director Of the firm in the proper
sense OF the word. but took a very promi-
nent part I'm it's business. Mr.. Muir said
he trusted his cure would be rapid and
that he would see the ACCESSIBILITY Of COM
ing within the jurisdiction OF the court,
so that it should not be suggested he was
a fugitive from justice"
Considerable sympathy has been ex-
pressed with the officers concerned. The
position of quartermaster is usually held
by men promoted from the ranks after
long service. and they assume the rank
and dignity under a heavy handicap. The
pay does not allow them To support them
selves in the style of other officers of the
same rank, even II they are unmarried,
but the British soldier who stays with
the colors for many years generally mar
ries and has family. When he attains
his new rank he becomes anxious TO give
his children an education corresponding
with his station, and. not having any
private means. as have most OF his broth
or officers, soon finds himself in desperate
straits. Hence the temptation 10 misuse
canteen funds. Several papers have eX-
pressed the hope that the case will open
the eyes OF the authorities 10 the iniqui-
ties OF the present system and lead to
reform whereby the quartermasters Will
be paid according to the Importance and
responsibilities OF their work