New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-06

points out that there are acts OF Con-
gress against the presence of liquors
aboard ships of the navy. but that the
wine mess regulation gets around them.
Mr.. DanieIs's Order.
The text OF Mr. Danielss order follows:
The use or introduction for drinking
purposes OF alcoholic liquors aboa d any
naval vessel, or within any navy yard or
station. is strictly prohibited, AMI com
manding officers will be held directly re-
sponsible for the enforcement cf this
order
The Secretary's announcement tolls o.
the report made By the surgeon General
and Of that officers long experience and
opportunity for judging the wine mess.
Mi Daniels says:
II am in hearty agi cement with the
views expressed by the surgeon general
in his paper accompanying the ecom-
mendation. There should not be on ship
board with reference 10 intoXicants, one
rule for officers and another and differ
ent rule for the enlisted personnel. The
saddest hour in my official life IL when
an officer or enlisted man must be pun
ished for intoxication During the last
week it has been my painful duty TO ap-
prove a court-martial for dismissal from
the service OF an officer for intoxicaton.
He told me that he had never tasted in
toxicatng drink until he did so in the
wine mess on his cruises. Others who
have been disciplined for drinking TO e7-
cess have made similar statements 10 me.
Officers are now commissioned AT the
early age of twenty-five years.
Has the government a right 10 permit
this temptation which too often destroys
the highest usefulness of young officers?
l think not. II there is one profession
more than any other that calls for a clear
head and a steady hand it is the naval
profession. Experience has shown the
wisdom OF having no intoXicants on our
ships for the Young men who enlist
believe experience has demonstrated that
a uniform rule should prevail in the navy
for all who enlist in the service. from
the highest rank TO the youngest enlisted
man or officer who comes into the service,
and that the abolition Of the wine mess
will be justified"
Surgeon General Braisteds report. also
made public, tells that the use OF alco-
holc stimuants in the American navy
vas inherited and until recent wears
officially recognized. even TO the extent
Of round of rum being served out every
day He discussed the disciplinary meas
ures against enlisted men in the matter
OF having intoxcants on board. and saws:
D.. op OH al m 10 mo N
has rendered alcoholism among them al
most a negligible quantity. Surely. the
officers should be in all respects models
for the enlisted men in duty, habits and
department, and the example Of officers
drinking aboard ships, as fostered by the
wine mess, and the numerous courts mar
tials OF officers for drunkenness and the
effects OF alcohol are destructive Of dis
cipline and morale bad for the en-
listed men and detrimental 20 the
reputation and good name OF the service.
The navy il comparable in many respects
TO a great business organization, but no
efficient corporation IN civil life would
tolerate such condition Of affairs"
Dr. Braisted says that the restrictive
measures now In force are upheld by pub
lie opinion and based on sound moral
and physiological principles. II. he asks
these restrictive measures are applied TO a
part OF the personnel, why not 10 all? lie
says the answer IS difficult, particularly
considering the youth Of some OF the Of
ficers To assume that even moderate
use OF alcohol will better equip men physi-
caly. mentally, intellectually or morally
is against dill reason.
Mr.. Danielss statement says that the
order he has issued puts into effect the
same rule with reference 10 the use OF
intoxicants In the navy as exists in the
army. This is hard TO reconcile. for the
reason that at all army posts officers
now have their clubs. where they are at
complete liberty 10 have all the liquor
they want II was learned to-day on the
highest authority that the Secretary OF
War contemplates 10 such action as that
which Mr.. Daniels has taken.