The evening times., 1900-03-16
Buying ARMY SUPPLIES
The War Department Issues an EA-
planatory Statement.
a Repi. tn Reports That Equipment
and Sustenance Are Being Pur-
chased Mostly in China. Japan.
and AustraiiR-N Khaki and
Certain Foods Are Secured Abroad.

Several communications have reached the
| War Department containing statements
that representations are being made
| throughout the country to the effect that
the Quartermaster's Department and the
Commissary Department OF the Army are
purchasing supplies for the equipment and
sustenance of the Army in Australia.
China and Japan, and that millions of
dollars OF American money are going TO
China and Japan for the purchase of cloth
ing and supplies. which should properly
he spent in this country.
The War Department has issued a state
ment In refutation of these representa-
tions. In part, il says: From a report of
the Quartermaster General is appears that
in the matter of clothing the Army it was
found. during the Spanish-American war.
that the cloth uniform usually worn by
American troops was unsuitable for tropi-
cal service in Cuba. Porto Rico, and TIE
Philippines. The blue cloth blouses and
trousers were insufferably hot, while the
white duck summer garments. aside from
the fact of rendering their wearerS eX
tremely conspicuous, were difficult 10 keep
In q cleanly and presentable condition.
The conditions of tropical service there
fore. required clothing for the soldiers
that would be durable, clean, washable,
and not conspicuous. The cotton goods
commonly known as Khaki fulfilled these
requirements. but in the beginning of the
war this material was entirely unknown TO
American manufacturers.
No good reason was known, however
why this class of goods could not be pro-
duced in this country, and. as a conse-
quence of steps taken in that direction,
the manufacture CT khaki cloth has grown
to large proportions. As demonstrating
this fact, contracts of the Quartermaster's
Department are now outstanding for nearly
100000 yards of khaki from which will
be manufactured 125.00O khaki coats and
175 pairs of khaki trousers nearly all of
which are destined for the Philippines at
an early date.
Practically, the only purchases made in
Manila by the Quartermasters Department
have been of khaki uniforms absolutely
essential for the comfort and welfare OF
the troops in the field. and which in the
beginning of the campaign. it was not pos
sible 10 furnish. Instead Of these pur-
chases amounting in value to millions of
dollars. as represented, the total value
does not exceed 1925, 600, covering a period
OF nearly two years.
The reports upon the use of khaki cloth
ing show that the additional comfort ard
benefit Of these light garments over the
regulation blue uniforms have been ines
timable and thoroughly appreciated.
1T further appears from the report OF
the Quartermaster General that domestic
khaki material is now being manufactured
in this country equal in every respect. if
not superior, to that produced in foreign
countries and therefore no further pur-
chases of this material are contemplated
at Manila. All troops, regulars and vol
unteers. sent 20 the Philippines last yea,
were outfitted with one or more suits of
khaki clothing made in this country In
addition. besides meeting the demands OF
troops stationed in Cuba and Porto Rico
for this clothing, quantities have been
shipped to Manila as follows: 10000 Khaki |
coats, $500 pairs khaki trousers.
With the exception above stated, all |