The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-04-03


WASHINGTON, April Gen. Miles,
commanding the army, after comforting
with Secretary Alger, has ordered 100
canvas uniforms, with a view to their
general introduction as a light and
serviceable field uniform by the United
States army. 1t is a marked departure
in uniforming the army. and one in the
interest of preserving the health of the
men W+1fle in active service.
The sample uniforms already ordered
are of strong canvas of fine texture,
but durable material. The color is a
gray brown, said to be particularly
desirable in case of hostilities, as it is
difficult to distinguish from the earth,
grass, cornfields or leaves. 1t is light
and cool in summer, is very servtceable
in winter. 1t is also impervious to the
rain. These canvas suits are already
in use among pioneers, and do good
service for rough outdoor work.
Gen. Miles idea has been to combine
this serviceable frontier suit with
enough color and adornment to give
1t a military aspect. The final designs
show the canvas suit and bucksllin leg
gins with colored cloth, cuffs, collar,
CheVrons and national coat of arms
above the chevrons. The color of the
chevrons, cuffs, etc, depends upon the
arms of the service; navy blue for the
infantry red for the artillery and yell
low for the cavalry. The hat is II
light felt or canvas similar to that now
worn, but turned up on the left side
with q cOlOred rOsette indicating the
arm of the service, and a short aigrete
or plume above the rosette. The knea-
breeches and leggings complete this
serviceable military field uniform.
Army Activity.
Secretary Alger had a number of
callers during the morning including
Senators Pasco, Cullom, Carter and
Platt Comm and Representatives Hull
Corliss and Dingley. Shortly after l.
o'clock, the secretary left for the White
house, where he had a matter of some
business to transact with the president
During the morning he also saw a
number of chiefs of departments an6
Gen. Miles.
The 100000 allotted to the quarter
master of the emergency fund is foi
the purpose Of meeting any expenses
incident to- the shipments of troops
guns or other stores that cannot be
met from the annual appropriation.
Gen. Greeley, chief signal officer, re
ports that the work incident to the con-
rectiOn by electricity OF the forts and
posts comprising the defenses in the
seacCast cities is getting we'll started
Probably within ten days the connec-
ton will be made at New York city
and within a few weeks, at all the
other places at which it is proposed
to introduce this method of communi-
cation.
During the morning there was also q
meeting of the joint board of the army
and navy on the plan of defense This
board consists OF Capt. Barker. of the
navy, and Col. Wagner, of the army
They are considering the question of
the most desirable point in the South
to be used as a central base of opera
tons in case of hCstilities While they
were in session, they were furnished a
statement showing the total strength,
Of the Spanish navy, including a des-
cIiption of each vessel.
The question the board is now con-
sidering was two years ago the subject
OF investigation by the war department.
and the question of the practicability
OF Mobile, Tampa or New Orleans az
q base of supplies for an army con-
eentrated in the South. was then re-
viewed.
Gen. Miles is of the opinion that 1CO,-