THE TIDE HAS TURNED by W. N. G.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, Cal. · Jan 10, 1900

THE TIDE HAS TURNED.

By W. N. G.

LESS than a year ago the soldier caste had carte blanche in San Francisco. A sentimental enthusiasm—too generally mistaken for patriotism—took hold of the masses and stirred them almost to distraction. For a time it was hero worship gone mad; everything in army uniform was a hero. The newspapers, the political orators, and the preachers lauded the soldiers. The women, old and young, fêted them and smiled on them, and the more forward ones kissed them. Young women strolled with men in uniform whom they would have disdained to notice in their former garb; and acquaintance was ofttimes formed without even the formality of an introduction. And the boys of every age strove to imitate the man in uniform, while their young hearts fairly thirsted for blood. Even the officers of the law relaxed their wonted vigilance, lest the carnal pleasures of the soldier be too much limited and patriotism seem lacking. But the soldiers, underneath the artificial halo of glory with which they were for the time enshrouded, were only men, and many of them proved to be very ordinary men at that. Their conspicuous appearance in Chinatown, the Barbary Coast, and the slum districts in general, was, and still is, proof that "all is not gold that glitters."

Six months ago such an utterance as the above would have been subject to severe denunciation on the part of many who are to-day looking at the soldiers in the vicinity of San Francisco through a different glass. The Tribune of this city, which was second to none in encomiums of "our heroes" when their municipal and social prestige was at flood tide, has this to say in a recent issue:—

"The action of the military authorities at the Presidio, in co-operating with the San Francisco police department, in suppressing the lawlessness of the soldiers now quartered in San Francisco, is a highly commendable departure from the customary red-tape methods of the army. Ever since the emergency camps were established, the metropolis has been subjected to an era of viciousness on the part of those wearing Uncle Sam's uniform, the offenders not even stopping short of murder. At first, when the patriotic spirit was running high, there was a disposition on the part of the civic authorities not to inflict punishment when the offense simply consisted of drunkenness or disturbing the peace, but a change soon had to be made in this program, for the soldiers imposed upon good nature to an alarming extent. An appeal to General Shafter, however, brought about the prompt establishment of a provost guard, and after this all went well for a while.

"Then came the Hildebrand murder, that shocked the community, and the laxity of the prosecution aroused such a pronounced public sentiment on the proposition that the officials put on the screws and the turbulent elements were brought under control. The barriers have been gradually raised again, tho until now the law-breaking element is more in evidence than ever, as is shown by the recent shooting by a drunken army officer at an inoffensive citizen, and the outbreak in the colored regiment that has led to the present reform movement.

"It stands to reason that an iron rule must be exercised over the soldiers now reaching the coast en route to and from Manila. In the first place, a very small percentage of the troops consists of trained and experienced men, the great majority being 'raw recruits' who overestimate their importance from the time they don Uncle Sam's uniform. There is an excuse for this, tho, the trouble being that the hero flavor hovers around every man who enlists during war time, and the applause and enthusiasm with which the various regiments are greeted make each soldier think that he is a privileged character and can do about as he pleases. Then there is the temptation of being invited to drink everywhere he goes, and, as most of the soldiers are young men, they soon fall into evil habits, if, indeed, they had not contracted them before they enlisted."

This is indeed a sad picture, but it is not overdrawn in the least particular. It is a significant commentary upon the times in which we live, and the general encouragement of the young men to enter upon a military career. The results are more than hinted at in the fact that one of the journals which a few months ago was conspicuous in the general plaudits showered upon the men who were bound to Manila, is now constrained to advise that on their return an "iron rule be exercised" over them. And this advice is based upon experience with those who have previously returned, as well as with those awaiting transportation thither. As the picture must be drawn as a warning against the evils of army life, we are glad that it is so faithfully done by a journal whose influence was all on the side of the popular embrace of the men in uniform and armed with the weapons of death. True, the story could have been told a year ago just as well as now, but it would not have been heeded by a people aroused to fever heat by the prevailing spirit of war. Now that some of the results are seen and recognized through actual experience, may we not hope that at least the professed church of Christ will reflect that He whom they profess to follow did most emphatically declare, "The Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." In the light of His example, how can they who profess His name urge men on to a death-incurring and death-dealing occupation, or encourage the youth to learn the use of carnal weapons and the art of warfare against flesh and blood? Or how can men professing His name urge or applaud measures that involve the wholesale destruction of life—spiritual as well as physical—which He came to save, even at the sacrifice of His own life?