The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-24
THE ARAB PATROL DRILL
Thousands Witness the Evolutions
Of the Shriner Soldiers.
knlcidOscOpic Movements of the ORR
entails, of Troy, Elicit Much APP
pInuse-Fine Work of Al Kornns,
of Cleveland - Presentation of
Souvenirs to the Companies.

One Of the largest crowds ever assem-
bled at the ellipse south of the White
House assembled yesterday afternoon to
witness the exhibition drill of the four
Arab Patrols of Almas, Moolah. AL Koran,
and Oriental Temples of the Mystic
Shrine. The crowd numbered fully 10000
and evidenced their appreciation of the
spectacle by frequent and sustained ap-
plause.
Long before 4:30 o'clock in the after
noon, the hour arranged for the COM
mencement of the drill. the roadway was
alive with people of both sexes, with fez
and WITHOUT the fez. which is the distin-
gushing mark OF the visitor in the city.
Carriages galore. automobiles. cabs.
coupes, drags. buggies, and available vehi-
cles of all sorts were numerous. A strange
appearance was presented by four mobiles of
Boumi Temple of Baltimore. who drove up
to the White Lot with heads tied up in
calico sunbonnets of most fantastic pat
tern and armed with doll-size parasols
delegation of Mobiles from Acca Temple
of Richmond paraded around the ellipse
with fame-colored umbrellas
The exhibition Patrols were early on
the field. The Arabs of Moolah Temple OF
st. Louis, Mo-, were costumed in red
boomers, silk yellow vests, brown leggins,
white sash, and blue plush boleros The
red fez OF the order. with red pointed
slippers. completed the makeup. The
Patrol of Almas was similarly attired with
red boomers. slippers and fez, white vests,
sashes of yellow. and blue stockings and
boleros. the whole gorgeously decorated
in gold. A little variation was furnished
in the Arab dress OF AL Koran. of Cleye-
land, Ohio, who. instead of the usual fez,
wore for a headpiece Turkish turban of
yellow and red silk. twisted about the
head and ornamented with a white pom
pom. Yellow vests and sash. blue bloom
ers and stockings. and red shoes and
boleros were worn.
The Oriental Patrol.
The appearance or the Arab Patrol
from Oriental Temple, of Troy, N. Y,
bore no resemblance in appearance to the
others. They were distinctively costumed
as Bedouins Of the Desert, in long grey,
flowing gown, bordered with goii around
the skirt, with variegated colored and
spangled vests. with red sleeves, brown
hose. red Arabian painted sandals, and
with grey and brown burnoose, with long
brown flowing streamers. Instead of the
scimiters with which the other Patrols
were armed, they carried guns of Arabian
patterns. with long barrels, flint locks,
and bent stocks.
The Arab Patrol of Ismailia Temple of
Buffalo, and Malta Temple of St. Joseph,
Mo-. who were expected to take part in
the exhibition. were compelled to with
draw. Promptly at the hour appointed for
the drill Ealey's Band of forty pieces
started to play and the Patrol of Alrnas
Temple at once took the field. under the
command OF 5. Porter House, captain:
Sidney X. Jacobs. second lieutenant, ana
George Won Dachenhausen. second lieu
tenant. Capt. Porter House is also the
commanding officer of Company A, Wash
ington Light Infantry. Lieutenant Jacobs
is former member OF the National Guard.
and Lieutenant Won Dachenhausen is
quartermaster Of the Fifth Battery. Almas
went through a series Of spectacular evo-
iutions with twenty-four men in forma-
lions Of twos. fours, and Fights, and pro-
voked well deserved applause for their
excellent and precise executions of a novel
manual of drill.
The Patrols of MOolah and AL Koran
Temples took the Said together at the
bugie call which announced the completion
OF Almas' exhibition. The thirty-two men
forming the Patrol OF AL Koran occupied
the south end of the ellipse while Moolah
went through a short manual at the north
side. under the command of Col c. A
Sinclair. of the First Regiment Missouri
National Guards. The work of AL Koran
n nlI ty,. I'll,
Fights. and sixteens. with formations OF
cross. double cross. circles. double circles,
star. revolving star. and a series Of be- |
wildering evoutions performed with great |
precision and eliciting much applause
from the spectators.
Tnctics of Arnbx.
The Patrol Of Oriental Temple. when |
their turn arrived. twenty four wild |
Arabs of the corps. with wild yell. rushed |
across the field in the greatest apparent |
disorder and formed unexpectedly in per- |
feet alignment. Then followed a series of |
maneuvres Of the most original character |
that fully entitle the corps to the credit |
they have earned as the best trained or |
ganiZation for fancy exhibition drilling in |
the United States. The evolutions we're
performed without music. which could not |
keep pace TO the rapid movements of the |
patro! at the rate OF $50 to 160 steps to the |
minute. Though apparently indescribable, |
the maneuvres are known In technical Ian
guage as wheel by three right and left |
about; right and left wheel in circle, odd |
threes forward and even threes wheel, aud |
vice versa; form sections. and wheel to
right and left about by sections; form star
and Immediately form Latin cross from |
star; form into hollow square; form re-
volving star; form in circles and in double |
circles; form figure eight; double move
ment to rear and right flank simutan-
eously, and Immediately form column of
threes TO the rear from line. These evo-
lutions Were repeated in double quick time
An elaborate and unique bayonet drill was |
also given by the accomplished corps. |
These picturesque. Kaleidoscope Dewilder-
ing. frantic movements provoked storm
Of applause and the work of Oriental was
unquestionably of unapproachable excel
lence.
After the completion of the exhibition
drills dress parade was held, and the |
four Patrols lined up in battalion forma-
lions, when guidons of heavy silk were |
presented to each of the corps. The gui
dons were of red and yellow, and were |
inscribed with the name of the Washing |
ton Temple Almas, with the insignia and |
initials of the order. and with the name |
Of the Temple to which the guidons were |
presented. |