Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-19

to recover. In modern warfare the desire
entertained is not to destroy the adversary,
but to disable him.
The new gun is to be used with Ger
man smokeless powder until the War De-
partment has succeeded in manufacturing
such an explosive to suit itself. With that
end In view experiments are now being
conducted at frankfort, near Phiadel-
phia. The shape selected for the powder,
when hen, employed for large ordnance. re-
gots. This form has been decided on as
preferable to those chosen abroad, which
variously look like sheets of yellowish pa
per, thick strings of India rubber, square
sticks in bundles like toothpicks and old
fashioned molasses candy.
brilliant Military Garb.
Soldiers costumes are now more gorgeous
than ever before in the history Of the world.
The nations of Europe vie with each other
in respect to the brilliancy OF their martial
garb. 1t Is urged by military experts that
the warrior ought to be vain. The admira-
ton of the ladies makes him fight better
Some of the most costly works of art OF the
middle ages are suits of armor. Relics Of
old armor are the gorget or throat piece
and the culrass or chest piece, which are
still used in Europe. Being intended no
longer for use. but for ornament merely.
they are made of thin steel, highly pol
ished. The helmet strap formerly passed
beneath the chin and held on the helmet
Now it bangles under the nose of the wear
er. and Is only retained because 1t Is a
piece of bright metal and glitters.
The primitive use of the sash now worn
by the United States army officers was to
carry its wearer when wounded off the
field. 1t was formerly very wide. and each
end Of it was taken by man. The gold
ing across the chest of the military swell,
were originally the equipment of the aid
de-camp. who suspended by them the tablet
and pencil with which he made memoranda
MESA given r.
tons on the soldiers coat sleeve were first
put there by Frederick the Great to dis
courage the practice of wiping the nose on
the sleeve The fashion was subsequently
adopted by civilians, simply as a matter Of
IMITATION. and 1t Is retained up to the pres
ent day, thanks to the tailors. The two
buttons at the back of a mans coat are
meant for attaching the sword belt, being
a survival of the time when every gentle
men wore sword.
The Soldiers Lot.
Modern military policy regards the SOL
der a person to be treated with human
ity and consideration. His lot in the United
States army Is very different from what 1t
was twenty-five years ago. Then but small
attention was paid to his comfort. He slept
in one of many rude hunks. which were
built In tiers, and his knapSack served him
for pillow. His food was coarse and cook
ed in such fashion as he himself understood
for preparing it. Now all these things are
changed. This is easily seen by visit to
Myer, across the Potomac from Washing
ton. There a comfortable looking group of
big two-story buildings furnish quarters for
two troops of cavalry. Two of these struct-
ures afford sleeping accommodations. Snug
cot beds are arranged along the walls, with
chest for clothing at the foot of each
blanket-covered couch, and peeping out
from beneath the latter a row of polished
boots and shoes set in careful order with
the toes all one way.
Two other buildings are the dining halls
for the soldiers. One man in each company
serves for month as cook for his mates.
and each private must take his turn at this
work. In time Of war it is important that
every soldier should know how to cook
Uncle Sam provides all the food, which is
hall Is posted the bill Of fare for the day
1t is fairly luxurious. For example 1t will
announce corn bread. bacon and coffee for
breakfast. and for dinner soup. beef. vege-
tables and coffee or milk. The duties re-
quired Of the men are light, being nothing
more severe than standing guard. practic-
given-drilling and grooming the horses.
Each troop has its own stable, and the last
hour of the day is devoted to the animals.
Each man has his particular horse, which
Is almost as much his own property as IL 1t
belonged to him. He takes entire care of
1t. and everything about the beast and its
trapplngS must be Kept spick and span. At
o'clock every afternoon any soldier can
get pass" and go away In citizen s
clothes. not returning until the following
morning.
His Leisure.
The soldier has plenty of leisure and the
wherewithal to enjoy 1t without going be-
yond the precincts Of the fort. The men
at Fort Myer have a club house. managed
by the officers. for their express use and
benefit. 1t includes a bar ROOM where
nothing stronger than beer Is sold. res
taurant and shop that keeps everything
In stock imaginable. Whatever the men
want in the way of little suppers and other
spreads they can get to order at the Can
teen. The entire concern is conducted On
a cooperative basis. so that prices are
maintained alta minimum.
supplementary to the club house are
reading rooms one for each troop, with
books, newspapers and first-rate billiard
OF and provided for In every possible wav
He receives an allowance Of money for
clothing so liberal that he often saves $50
a year out Of 1t for himself by taking good
care of what he wears. His pay is SIM
ply so much pocket money, which he can
spend on candy il he likes, as he often
does. Anybody who visits Chicago this
summer can find there the most superb
military station In the world, where the
soldiers enjoy an existence of exceptional
luxury chef being employed to cook
their food.
twenty-five years ago all sorts Of very
severe and sometimes outrageous punish
ments were inflicted on United States SOL
diers when they misbehaved. They were
made to wear the FOOLS cap. to walk about
the camp in a barrel to carry a log to
ride a horse, which was nothing more than
n plank with sharp edge set verti~a Nv
on stilts, or to endure excruciating agony
by the process of tying up by the thumbs
Now all such penalties are done away with
and. save in extraordinary instances mis-
demeanOr meets with no worse reward than
confinement in the guard house or depri-
walton of privileges.