The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-06

tunity TO ridicule the United States They
insisted that the Daniels order would be
regarded in European naval circles as the
companion piece to grape juice diplomacy.
M~. Daniels Explains.
In exrinoation of the order Secretary
Daniels made the following statement.
II am in hearty agreement with the
views expressed by the Surgeon-Gener
in his paper accompanying the recon-
mendation. There should not be on ship
board. with reference TO intoxicating
drinks. one rule for officers and another
and different rn,e for tho enlisted per-
sonnet.
THE saddest hour OF my official life
IN when an officer or enlisted man mus,
be punished for intoxication. During the
past week II has been my painful duty
TO approve a court-martiai for dismissal
from the service of an officer for intoxi-
cation.
He told me that he had never tasted
Intoxicating drink until he did 80 In the
wine mess on his cruises. Others who
have been disciplined for drinking TO ex-
cess have made similar statements to me-
age OF 90 years. Has the Government
a right to permit this temptation. which
too often destroys the highest usefulness
OF young officers? ] think not.
Demand Of the Profession.
III there is one profession more than
another that calls for a clear head and
. steady hand 1t Is the naval profession
Experience has shown the wisdom Of
having no intoxicants on our ships for
the young men who enlist.
II believe experience has demonstrated
that n 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 DO justified"
Recommendation for . possible s1spen.
sion Of prohibitive order II made By
Surgeon General BREASTED - proper II
the battleships as tho scene Of official
entertainments.
Mr. Daniels however. did not include
In the order any arrangement for excep-
tons to its terms and has not made any
statement as to whether or not he ap-
proves OF the proposal. There Is no
doubt that the question regarding official
entertainments will raise embarrassments
II any attempts are made to suspend the
eeder.
Surgeon General BREASTED said on this
matter.
1T Is probable that upon certain special
occasions International courtesy might
aA,,i., eA,x, lit.
such regulation. This could readily
be done by departmental orders. At the
same time efforts might be made to oh.
tain an appropriation for the entertain.
ment Of our foreign guests In a manner
which would avoid the possible appear.
ance Of critclsing their own customs and
regulations"
Danger OF Controversy.
II was pointed out by navy men that
each proposal to suspend tho order on
account Of official festivities would raise
protest from the temperance advocates
Of the country and would plunge the navy
into continual controversy over this
subject They added that II Secretary
Daniels was going to insist upon the navy
being dry he might better stick to ice
water for visiting guests rather than
backslide At intervals from the general
principle
II no exception IL made to the order
by Mr. Daniels it will mean that the
high officers Of the navies OF the world
which send fleets to the opening OF the
Panama Canal will be entertained on
board American vessels at wineless ban
quets and toasted perhaps with grape
jnice.
In the navy It has been the nvariable
custom upon the occasion of exchanges Of
courtesies between American and foreign
naval commanders that wine shall be
opened by the officer who Is host and the
healths Of their respective rulers drunk.
and II the new order Is strictly enforced
many embarrassments are predicted on
the occasion of the assemblage OF battle
ships or all nations at the Panama Canal.
Naval officers here resent not 30 much
the abolition OF the wine mess az the with
drawal of their right TO drink II they
choose. They point out that a ship IL for
months at a time an officers home when
he Is on sea duty. 1t Is the only place he
has and In II he must do all his work and
all his play.
The effect OF the order Is, however, to
make any use OF liquor impossible for
them either during or outside working
hours The order. they predict, will lead
to the announcement of despicable quail
ties such as deceit, espionage and viola
ton of rules and regulations.
II Is said that while there are among
naval officers men who abuse themselves
with liquor, the majority are temperate.
They resent particularly the insinuation
that an officer Is not supposed TO have a
proper degree Of self-control In the matter
Of using liquors.
while II Is asserted that the navy order
will make the situation In that service
virtually Identical with that in the army.
the fact IL that army officers are not sub
ject to such drastic prohibition Officers
clubs exist at practically every post
wherein drinks may be had and officers
are accustomed. II they choose, to serving
liquor In their homes,
DR.. BraIsted's Report.