Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-08-15
NO PRISON Term
FOR SAILORS WHO
Drink OR DESERT
These 0ffenseS win Be Punish
ed Simply by Summary
Dismissal from Now On
IBy Latest NALL

WASHINGTON, d. Cs-Secretary
Daniels has issued an order which
will revolutioniZe the regulations of
the navy as they affect the enlisted
men. The order gives the enlisted
man the greatest freedom he ever en-.
ioyed. II he oyerstays his leave OF
absence. by drunkenness on shore
and similar breaches of discipline, he
will be summarily dismissed instead
OF imprisoned.
The order. says statement issued
by the Navy Department today, is a
radical departure from former meth.
DDS dealing with the enlisted person
mel who have not desired to remain
in the service Enlistments In the
navy have always been for q definite
period-at present four years-and It
has always been difficult and at times
impossible for men to terminate their
contract OF enlistment by honorable
discharge before the enlistment ex.
pired. IL man remained absent
from his ship or duty after having
heen granted leave. this made him
a deserter. and ON conviction involved
prison sentence.
Secretary Daniels order. which is
said to meet the approval of major,
ity Of the officers OF the navy. says;
Navy Business Plant.
The secretary recognizes that the
navy Is in time OF peace very largo
business organization; that any feel
ing OF compulsory detention or bond
age on the part of the enlisted force
is undesirable; that the service offers
so many advantages, especially to
those desiring to make of It q life
work or secure a practical education,
that 1t can be kept fully recruited
with men who are willing to obey,
and the department. therefore. holds
that overstayed leave, drunkenness
on shore and similar offenses indi-
cate merely that the offender Is un.
at for the service. These considera,
lions led to the issuance Of this new
general order for summary discharge
rather than imprisonment In the
matter of desertion, and to facilitate
honorable discharge for those who
are dissatisfied.
'Tn order not to be too drastic. the
order permits commanding officers In
their discretion to hold q first offend.
er on probation on reduced pay for
periods Of from six to twelve months,
but on repetition of the offense he Is
summarily discharged.
The order Is founded on business
principles The navy Is q business
organization as well as lighting ma
chine 1t has no time for the drunk
ard, be II ashore or afioat, nor for
those who, in violation of their oath.
are not present and ready for duty
when required. Such offenses indi-
cate inherent unfitness for the naval
service. Men of this type at present
find their way to q naval prison,
where they are an expense to the
government. Hereafter these men
will as general rule simply be dis
missed and the service freed Of their
unwholesome influence.
To Reduce Naval Prisoners.
The order will improve discipline
generally throughout the service. Il
will reduce the number Of naval pris-
oners and place the enlisted person
mel Of the service on much the same
basis as that occupied by the EN-
pIOJS5 VI any loA 50 ln0uotttat vi wi
alton
'aThe problem with the navy in 9TH
er days was to secure enough men to
man the ships. In March, 1913, when
Secretary Daniels came into Office,
the enlistments lacked about 400 to
make up the total enlistments. To-
day the total enlistments. exclusive
Of the 1000 In prisons and disciple
nary barracks. are 51,34S, and for the
first time in its history the navy is
ready to start waiting list. The OPP
portunity to travel, to secure an edu-
cation and to win promotions, hereto
fore not possible, have contributed to
make service in the navy attractive
to the best class Of young men. 1t is
therefore deemed a suitable time to
put an end to imprisonment Of young
men who desire to leave the service.
We can get plenty who love II and
will be an honor to It"