The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-10


the army 10 wear In a tropical climate
there is an interesting and true story.
II win be remembered that at the time
a Cuban campaign was decided upon "a
cool uniform was at once taken under
consideration and after few weeks It
was announced that one had been chosen
and would be adopted as soon as It could
he issued. when any name is put 40
this a is simply spoken OF as the one he
selected As matter OF fact. 1t was
designed by junior officer in the army
and the model was made for him in
Esypt for his own use in that country.
Two years ago during one Of the Anglo
Egyptian wars, he applied to the War
Department 20 be sent out to Join the
British forces TO watch military opera
tons In the field but the request was re-
fused. Nothing daunted. and Accordingly
interested in his profession Of arms, nc
then applied for eighteen months foreign
leave on half pay. which was granted,
and packing his Kit he departed from the
western coast at which he was then sta
toned and made straight Tor Cairo.
Parentneucally. he paid his own expenses.
which. II he had been detailed by the Cow
eminent. would not have been the case.
NECESSITY COMPELLED HIM.
The English headquarters were in the
field some miles up the Nile from Cairo,
and the American officer was obliged TO
wait at shepards until a detachment
should be going out. and 1t then being the
IL 40 spoa6V
and Interesting discovery that he was
entirely unequipped for a campaign in a
not country. Even his tninnest summer
uniform would have Frustrated him in an
hour by ats weight under the brOilins
Egyptian sun. ana he certainly had not
the slightest intention Of wearing foreign
uniform so he found himself confronted
bv q complication.
He retired TO a corner OF Snepards de-
serted piazza, lighted a cigar and began
TO think tie smoked through that one
and lighted another putting absently. and
half way through that. he started 10 his
feet threw away the remainder and re-
tired 10 his room Then he drew model
hetook himself 10 a native tailor and sub
United the design. Inc result is what
has just been adopted by our Government
Tor the army.
LIGHT AND INEXPENSIVE
Of light linen-colored material which
IS neither linen nor cotton. but a product
OF Egypt. a grass fibre light in weight.
The trousers are loose and rather baggy.
cut short 10 wear with leggins of The
same while the coat was single breast
cd belted blouse having the insignia of
rank on the shoulders. with the field
straps Of the same material and color as
the UNIFORM. The buttons were put on
with detachable iastenings, 10 be easily
removed when the suit was washed. and
there he had evolved one that was cool,
light, would not show the dust of march
es could be easily washed to look like
new. and withal was inexpensive. Figu-
ratively speaking. he patted himself on
tho back had bis insignia Of rank put
on the shoulders, packed his kit with the
new outfit and. enthusiastically shaking
the dust OF Cairo from his feet. he en- ,
barkcd upon a dahabeah and set sail for
the front
He reached It. but, like the king of
France and his forty thousand men" he
drew his sword only to put ii up again,
for he was cordially received at head
quarters. but told he could stay with
them only in a personal capacity, and
not In an official one. a "a the permission
was oniy a hollow mOckery. He could
have been in no battles. he would have
been left behind at all critical times. He
would have gained TO experience, and he
was drawing half pay. lie thought of
his long journey out and his water pas
sage money. but he faced the situation,
turned around and started back to home,
duty and full pay
Once here he submitted his model tro-
pical uniform 10 the War Department for
approval. There has always at times
been more or less departmental agitation
for a cool uniform for our troops in the
South during the summer but so far no
.fsf4 NaI hte tFaTf
one was put on a dummy in one OF the
offices. and for almost three years army
officers going in and out have expressed
their opinion of H. Also there were then
others. Then recently came the impera-
tive need for uniform for Cuba, and
models by the score were submitted 10
the department and General Miles. fol-
lowed soon with the official announce
ment that one had been chosen.
About six weeks ago 1.-THE officer OF
the Egyptian uniform went into the
War Department where he had bean
summoned about a detail, and while ne
was waiting he was greeted by another
officer. who said:
"Seen the new Uniform"
mo" said the other. rs II here?"
Eyes. come along and see it; II Is
great" remarked the first leading the
way.
They reached It and the second officer
looked ana SAID.
why. that is mine: my Egyptian out
At"
SLIGHT NOTIFICATIONS.
" WAS news 10 the first VINO congrat-
ulated MIN warmly. and told him that
4. had been accepted with only two
triling modihcatioas: THE trousers were
10 be long ana Officers were to nave
str pes on them Of the color of the army |
Of the service 10 which they
lelong-red Tor artillery: yellow, for cav |
s'ry and dark blue instead of waite for |
infantry The fileds of the straps are (
IN correspond. Person1ny. the original |
designer deprecates she change because
ne saws the colors will not bear washing
and WIN make the uniforms look o,d and |
seedv when withou; they would be quito |
f-es'i. but officially nc. Of course. Is graf |
.hed.
Then he concluded that he would like |
10 have his own back. so ne filed re- !
quest and waited. lie waited until he
was obliged 10 leave Washington and !
report for duty. and ne departed with !
out IT, Some weeks later ne got more |
leave. and went again to the department |
In the meantime ne had written and |
teIegraphcd Again he requested ana |
waited and finally was told that II would |
be returned to him that day. lie went !
back TO his hotel and then started north |
10 pay some visits. certain OF hnding me !
uniform on his return. When he came !
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