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Show lY-riScd C:i3 cf thb Ccr.tc:a Question. The army canteen question will not down. The more it is discussed the more evidence is adduced that it was a mistake to abolish It ,The cause of temperance gained a theoretical victory vic-tory when the' canteen was done away with, but that there is any less drinking among the soldiers has not been proved. . . Brig.-Gen. Burton, inspector-general of the army, takes up the question in no uncertain manner in his report to the Secretary of War. ' , "It seems to be almost the unanimous sentiment of the 'army," he says, "that the one thing lacking to meet the soldiers' wants and tastes Is the canteen feature. The absence of this leads' to sickness, the commission of military offenses, desertion and other crimes.' ' ' , ' , fits absence 1b seriously felt," he declares. "The effect, especially in the provinces., is to encourage men .(n, the use of the yarioua native drinks and in some instances of op)um." . , w 1 Soldiers are but human. They will drink as their brothers in civil life will drink. if tney can ao tneir drinking At 'the post canteen ender restrictions watchea by superior officers and'.with liquor supplied sup-plied them that is of good quality the bad results are bound to be minimized, but if they are compelled to seek their drink wherever they may find it the consequences pointed out in the inspector-general's report are pretty certain to follow. V The physicians of the army are in favor of the re-establishment re-establishment of the canteen -and most of the high officers have . recommended that It be restored. These men know what they are talking about. They are practical and their recommendations should be given more consideration than the undoubtedly sincere but wholly theoretical, and sentimental Idea of Impractical reformers. Had Congress really wished to help the soldier it wonld not have abolished the canteen. .Now that its mistake has been sq clearly pointed out -it should have the good grace to remedy it. - V |