Bad Liquor

Wartime Evil in Pacific

r PHE following article was written by War Correspondent John Fairfax, on January 10, and printed in the “Sydney Morning Herald” on the follow ing day. As a portrayal of the other side of the sly grog traffic that is rife in all Pacific Territories affected by war, it is of interest. (See also u Sly Grog and Black Markets,” page 24, this issue.) To-day Captain Peters, American Pro vost Marshal in Noumea and Chief of Military Police, protested against the illegal sale of liquor, often dangerously bad. by French and New Caledonian civilians to Servicemen.

He maintains that the few cases of assault or molestation which had occur red between Servicemen and civilians are due to bad liquor sold illegally.

Captain Peters said: “Bootlegging of liquor is one of our greatest problems.

That liquor includes American or im ported wines and whiskies, also locally distilled spirits and liquors, such as wine brandy and the dangerous ‘butterfly rum.’ The sale of this liquor has been the major cause of any misconduct occurring among our troops and directed against the civilian population, but des pite the availability of this liquor, the conduct of our troops has been excep tionally good.” Captain Peters wishes that amendments could be made to French law against bootlegging and suggests a law allowing raids on boot leggers and confiscation and closing up of their establishments.

Governor Laigret stated two months ago that he would stamp out bootlegging, but there is no tangible evidence that his efforts, if any, have had effect.

Laigret said recently that the Ameri can Command had failed to co-operate with the French, and had also failed to control Negro troops, many of whom, he claimed, had molested women. Captain Peters showed me charge sheets of Ser vice personnel over the last four months.

There has been one case of rape, involv ing two Negroes, and one case of assault with intent, involving two whites and two coloured men. There have been only seven cases of assault by Servicemen oh civilians.

Captain Peters also denies the accuracy of the Governor’s statement that young civilians had formed bands to protect themselves against Negroes.

I can vouch for the excellent behaviour of American troops on this island, and the efficiency of their control.