Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-06


troops had been brought torci-
Il bly, to my attention through the
ease with which alcoholic bev-
erages could be obtained.
The use of light wines as part OF
the French ration was simply the con-
tinuance in the Army of the universal
custom of the people OF having wine
with their meals. The wines and beer
were net so Objectionable, but strong
alcoholic spirits were regarded by the
French themselves as dangerous and
were prohibited for their troops, but the
prohibition was not well enforced out
side the zone Of the armies.
The problem of preventing our troops
from drinking the stronger liquors was
difficult especially at the ports of en-
try Efforts to obtain enforcement
through conferences with local authori-
ties and through agreements with the
port and district officials were made
from time to time, but with little result
1 finally appealed to Prime Minister
Clemenceau for support, but he would
only counsel local officials, as he did
not wish to declare a state of siege.
martial law) In the end it was neces-
sary to take the matter in our own
hands and declare every bar and restau-
rant where the heavy liquor was sold as
of limits" for our troops. Our Off
sonal attention to the enforcement oil
this order.
MY most earnest thought and atten-
ton was given to this subject early in
our experience and throughout the war.
The habit of drinking itself was not
only detrimental to efficiency, but 1t
often led to other indiscretions.
Prohibition Was Necessary.
While it is a question whether under
ordinary circumstances in times of peace
a healthy moral sentiment can not be
created as a safeguard against excesses,
yet during the war, when men were not
surrounded by the restraining influences
of home life, limited prohibition was
necessary.
Even if it had been possible of en-
forcement l should not have issued or
ders to our armies prohibiting the use
of light wines or beer.
Our armies are simply croSs-Sec-
ton of the people whom they represent
and their psychology Is the same, and
any attempt to enforce such an order
would have led to difficulties. More
over, cooperation by the French to
that extent would have been out of the
question. There was, in fact, compare
lively little drinking in our armies and
what there was decreased noticeably
after the prohibition against strong
drink
About this time a cable was received
from Washington that some publication
at home had made a sweeping charge
of both immortality and drunkenness
against our men. No such statement
could be based on fact or could serve
any purpose except to cause unneces-
sary anxiety to parents and relatives
and perhaps satisfy, on the part of
some one, an unworthy desire for SEN
sation. In reply I cabled in part as
follows:
There has never been similar body
of men to lead as clean lives as our
American soldiers in France. They have
entered this war with the highest de-
votion to duty and with no other idea
than to perform these duties in the
most efficient manner possible.
Engaged in healthy. interesting eX-
ercises in the open air, with simple
diet, officers and men. like tr. ned ath-
letes, are ready for their tasks. For
hidden the use of strong drink and
protected by stringent regulations
against other evils and supported by
their own moral courage, their good be-
hayior is the subject of most favorable
comment, especially by our allies.
American mothers may rest assured that
NAAGAA oDI4o 6AC q NANAA4S W bAS~hA aAAA VAC
Nation"
My diary notes the following:
Paris. Thursday, January 10, 1913
Have appointed Maj Robert Bacon to
be colonel and A. D. c. on my staff.
Bishop Gwynne, deputy chaplain gen.
eral, British Army, and Bishop Brent
were my guests at Chaumont on Mon
day. Went over aviation matters with
Foulois, Boiling and Dodd
"On Tuesday Brent and I discussed
increase in number of chaplains, hich
we both favor. Left for Paris same
evening.
Began discussion with Robertson
and Maclay yesterday morning about
shipment of troops. (Gen. Sir William
Robertson was chief of the British i'm
perial general staff and Sir Joseph Mac
lay was British expert on shipping
Have organized Corps headquarters
under Maj. Cen Liggett. with Col Craig
as chief of staff"
Bishop Brent had been selected by me
for appointment, with view to his
being the chief of the Chaplain Corps
which it was planned to organize. The
bishop did not approve of this idea and
in Difference to his opinion and upon
his suggestion a permanent Executive
Committee of Chaplains was appointed
to study the problems involved and
make communications direct to me
from time to time. Bishop Gwynne of