[iii]
Similar remarks, modified, apply to a corporal who is practically always a can- didate for promotion to Sergeant. I therefore confine my observations to the Private Soldier, Gunner, and Sapper.
(1) Number of cases reported to Commanding Officers and Company Officers in 1897 amounted to 951.
Strength of British Garrison 1,509.
(2) Ordinary drunkenness, by which I understand fewer than 4 instances within a year, would not materially affect a private soldier's career provided that in his debau- ches he is not guilty of insubordination or violence. Here, however, the quality of the liquor is an important factor: in the Canteen or Institutes the liquor is always of good quality and a soldier may get drunk on it, be put into the Guard room and be duly disposed of with a fine or award of some days' confinement to Barracks, but the Chinese liquor (commonly called "Bazaar liquor") has very frequently the effect of making men violent, and one act of such violence might seriously affect a man's career.
For instance, a soldier gets drunk and becomes violent, he assaults a Non- Commissioned Officer, is tried by District Court-Martial and probably is awarded stop- page of pay and imprisonment.
This is likely to sour a man's temper and drive him to commit further crime: on discharge from the Army on completion of term of service he would probably not be given a "good" character, a very serious matter because a soldier trusts to employ- ment in civil life on the strength of a good character from his Company and Commanding Officers.
Commanding Officers have reported that this cheap Chinese liquor makes men mad for a time and is the cause of most of the serious crimes. Non-Commissioned Officers have told me that this fiery spirit takes effect upon soldiers very quickly, drives them off to brothels, and is the cause of nearly all the cases of insubordination and other crimes.
Excessive drunkenness ruins a soldier's career; he is deprived of pay, imprisoned, forfeits privileges such as passes, etc.; he breaks down in health, becomes a jail bird and an incumbrance in his corps, and on discharge is given a "bad" character; he leaves the Army a discontented man and his example is detrimental to recruiting.
(3) No; drunkenness in this Garrison is not excessive, one seldom sees a drunken soldier by day in the streets and not often at night.
(4) No; instances are very rare where good conduct soldiers have taken to drunken habits during their stay in Hongkong.
(5) Yes, under military control.
Usually from Messrs. MCEWEN or Messrs. A. YOUNGER. Whiskies, Gin, etc., from respectable English merchants in Hongkong.
B. Most successful inasmuch as the liquor is good, cheap, and easily obtained.
Soldiers do, however, occasionally go on a spree, and from curiosity, good fellow- ship, or other cause-perhaps because the liquor is cheap --enter some of the many drink- ing saloons and imbibe this fiery Chinese intoxicant.
Drunkenness in the Army is undoubtedly much on the decrease; the soldier is well fed and well cared for; he gets clothes in sufficient quantity for his wants; he is encouraged to take part in shooting competitions, cricket, football, athletic competi- tions and exercises. Theatres, sing songs, etc., etc., are kept up and entertainments provided for him; every encouragement is given him to enjoy himself in a healthy and recreative manner. Corps support Army Temperance Association and Good Templar Lodges which soldiers frequent in considerable numbers; most of these benefits to the
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