The times., 1898-07-11
FOREIGNERS WITH OUR ARMY.
They Are nm Interesting Collection
OF Men.

Oh wen.
New York. June 10-The foreign mill
tary attaches who accompanied the
United States army TO Cuba are an in
teresting group of men, not so much for
their individuality, which is not marked,
as for what they represent. 1t is con-
sidered noticeable by the army officers
that none of these foreigners is of high
rank. With one exception they are of
minor stations in their own armies. al
though probably above the general aver
age in intelligence and power of observa-
ton.
This group of foreigners in picturesque
uniforms. at loss for something TO do
was an ever-present feature of the lobby
of the Tampa Bay Hotel for several
weeks before the army embarked for
Cuba. The United States government
furnished each of them with saddle
horse and mounted soldier attendant
or striker" They herded together in
the hotel and rode among the camps sew
eral hours each day.
The most interesting of all the at
taches is the little Japanese soldier.
Major Shiba, OF the Japanese artillery.
He has been in this country before,
speaks English huently and is well edu-
Gated. He was for some time with the
Japanese legation in Washington.
Capt. Abildgaard represents the royal
navy and army OF Sweden and Norway.
He is on the staff of the famous Norwe-
gian General L'Orange. and is making
particular study Of the mobilization OF
volunteers.
Capt. A Webster represents the Swe-
dish infantry, and Capt. T.. Rodier. the
naval and military attache at Washing
ton. is here for the Austro- Hungarian
forces. He IS a lieutenant in the navy.
Russia Is represented by Col Yermoloff,
whose baggy trousers and big cap add
largely 10 the gayety Of natives in a trop-
ical climate. Capt. Arthur H Lee, Of
the royal artillery represents the Eng
lish army and is a clever. bright young
officer who has made himself very popu-
lar with the soldiers OF the United
States.
This list would not be complete with
out mention of Capt. Paget, OF the
royal British navy, who. while, not con-
cerned with army matters, Is making a
report on subsidized vessels, such as this
Government is now using for transports
The captain is inimitable. He is tall and
elderly. A short gray beard. not too
well trimmed, lengthens the effect of his
! naturally long face. His valet IS kept
| busy preparing uniforms for different
hours of the day, but neglects to darn the
captains socks. On occasions when a
white gold laced Eton jacket white duck
trousers, shortened by -manylaunderings
and low patenc leather shoes are derig-
eur, according 70 the captains schedule,
the effect Of the socks is at times start
/ ling. - "a
But it is his monocle fthat fascinates.
His ease of manipulation Is superb The
glass rests under his bushy eyebrow ap-
parently without any effort on the part
| of the captain, while he carries on con-
versation with a hestating and painful
! drawl. a cOnvulsion of the forehead and
| the glass is gone The temptation to look
/ for it on the floor is Impossible to over
! come, but ii has not fallen, for 1t bangles
at the end of a string. The effect of this
mOnocle upon some of Teddy's Terrors
has been tremendous. But, after all, the
! captain is a good old soul and social in
his way. and what is more, he knows his
Understanding which can be said of
/ nearly all her British majesty's naval Of
! ficers
/ All of these attaches are intensely inter-
ested in the war between the United
| States and Spain, and no doubt they see
many crudities in the methods of a young
nation going to war and many interesting
! reports of the proceedings Will be made
! to foreign governments when the war is
| over.