New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-01
SUITS FOR THE ARMY IN CUBA.
DRILLING COTTON TO BE USED INSTEAD OF
CANVAS. SECOND ARMY HOSPITAL
SHIP LIKELY.

The result OF experiments with different ma
terials after II decided adopt lightweight
uniform for by the Army in tropical climates.
has been a decision 20 adopt ligh,-brown cotton
drilling instead OF canvas as the material. Tho eX-
periments were conducted at the Quarterma.ters
depot in Philadelphia. AS consequence Of the
decision In regard 10 the material. all Of the bids
received at the Office OF Assistant Quartermaster-
General Kimbail. the Army Building. were re-
jected yesterday. New proposals were sought on
the cotton drilling. dr!ll weave, 1t Is tech
nicaly called and they will he opened at noon to-
morrow. The bids will he for 1000 coats and o.
pairs Of trousers with the privilege OF increas
ing the order TO 5000 OF each. The trousers will
be OF the regulation length. 1t has been decided
to abandon the idea OF having only knee length.
with legeings below. The legginRs Will be worn
over the trousers, and when they are taken on tho
legs will not be unprotected. ono Of tho lowest
bidders on the canvas suits offered 20 MI The
der for the drill at the same figures. but as
this would have been awarding the contract with
out competition. It decided 10 reject all the
BIDS and advertise anew. Several manufacturers
ready 10 supply drilling enough TO MI the order
The color of the suits viii be substantially the
same and the material is more flexible. and. # IS
claimed. viii wear better.
1t IS altogether probable that a second hospital
ship for the Army Will be secured The work on
the Relief formerly The John EnGlis is making
rapid progress. but II Is probable that she VIII DC
ordered 20 sail southwark before she IS fully COM
pleted. as the movement of The Army has already
begun. and there is likelihood Of n seri-
Gus engagement with the Spanish forces the ser
vices Of the ship will be required. and che Will
have 80 be on hand. The Relief sail directly
from this port Whatever point IN, Cuban
Porto Rican coast she is needed az she Will carry
nothing cor iraband OF war. ana will fly the Red
Cross flag in addition to the Stars and Stripes.
The propositon was submitted 10 the Quarter
masters department yesterday by the agent Of the
Plant Steamship Company for the requirement OF
the new vessel La Grandc Duchesse, which is
building at tho yard OF The Newport News Snip
building and Drydock Company and viii be "a
readiness for use by the 18th Of this month. Her
engines are yet 10 hc put In her, aud If she were
be htted up for hospital purposes the work could
20 forward in conjunction with her completion.
The Duchcssc Is said 10 be Il finer vessel than
ether he solace GormeTly the Creole, the naval
up carry many men.
AZ Army ocer i4id yrsoTda{ 49,, ,ior,oo
f. viii be necessary 70 have hospa-ship to
company the one 10 Porto Rico as well as the on.
vim have 20 be nttod up. The expedition now
starting VIII have 10 take such vessels az are II
from Tampa the trip 70 the vicinity OF Santiago
dc cuba viii be or has been the Alamo, CARRYING
guns Brigadier- General Ludlow is in command.
T Tiiders and mecRanics of "a Kinds Under The
protection OF the gums OF Schleys fleet the landing
dragged up to the hills overlooking the bay where
Cervera's squadron is supposed to lie. They Will
upon thcm, while they can deliver plunene fire on
tho vessels which viii force them TO leave the har.
hor only 70 engage vessels outside. II will
take much work 10 get one Of these heavy s-inch
guns. Weighing fourteen tons apiece. up the MI,
but a whole regiment OF men can be put upon the
ropes ana the work can be managed. IT viii also
TAX, a nice calculation OF angles TO get the range
Of he ships ana # the guns are depressed too
much firing will disodre them from their carriages
,,,Ii have 10 be depressed. II Will bc impossible
get any more tugs from here down TO Tampa for
takc onIy those that there. But more
nuired for the later work In the vicinity OF Havana
ard q. Ga Iuan'