Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-03
CARELESS TN DRESS
GEN. DAVIS SCORES THE TROOPS
IN HIS COMMAND.
Regulations and. Orders Regarding
Neatness Ignored-Directions Is
sued to Commanders.

The relaxing effects of tropical climates IN
the matter of military discipline are becom-
ing more and more evident In the Philip
pines, and for the second time in a little
over year the commanding general has
been obliged to call attention to this fact
in general orders In the last order General
Davis scores the men and officers indis-
criminately. as is shown by the following
extract:
'In his recent visit to some Of the stations
occupied by the troops-zf this division the
commanding general has noticed that off,
GERS and men are frequently careless in
their observance of regulations and stand-
ing orders in respect to dress, courtesies
and discipline. 1t is not supposed that these
acts Of omission are due TO contempt Of
army regulations and orders but it is evil
dent that those who are responsible for the
enforcement of discipline are not, in many
cases, discharging their duty, and the Off
GERS themselves are in some instances the
least attentive in matters pertaining to pro-
priety and good order, some extremely care
less In their dress, many without side arms
when officially waiting on the commanding
general, and in one instance an officer APP
peared with soiled coat, unbuttoned and
smoking In many cases escorts of honor
were not in waiting, as required by regula-
TONS nor even rendered.
CoIIueT OTQer Ignored.
1.-The existence Of such abuses in the Phil
ippines is extraordinary when it is recalled
that the division commander less than
year ago especially enjoined resumption by
the troops of the well-known practices re-
specting dress and discipline, which, In a
measure, had fallen into disuse during the
active field operations, yet the present com
manding general is now amazed to observe
in some instances there is apparently no
attention paid to the injunctions referred
to in General Orders No. 1S3, these head
quarters, of 1901.
The troops serving in the Philippines are
being assembled in larger commands than
formerly, and there is no excuse for the ap
pearance of officers or men in their shirt
sleeves, soiled or ragged clothing, or of Off
GERS without swords or sabers while on
duty.
Occasion is taken to especially direct at
tention to the beneficial effects upon discl-
pline of strict observance of military cour-
tesieS between officers. The impression that
such observance characterizes state of
official intercourse only is fahacious and
harmful. Superior officers of all grades are
enjoned to be punctilious in acknowledging
and to exact, upon all occasions, from their
juniors in rank the proper military cour-
tesies required by regulations, and bring
to the attention of the proper officers all
neglects of the same. Paragraph l of Cen
eral Orders of 1901 is so amended as to per-
nit blouses to be dispensed with at bayonet
exercise, caliSthenics and while actually on
the march. The shirt worn upon such occa-
SionS, however, must be uniform through
out the organization and the blouse must
be carried on marches and be worn when
ever the officer or soldier appears on duty
in camp and on or of duty away from his
company. E..
1.-The division commander has observed a
lack of acquaintance of some commanding
officers and quartermasters with the per-
sonnet and material details Of their COM
mand.
Carelessness in Preparing Papers.
THE records of the inspector general Of
the division show great carelessness and
lack of neatness In the preparation of pro-
ceedings of boards of survey and inventory
and inspection reports, papers Of great i'm
portance and designed to fix the property
accountability of the officers concerned, but
which entirely fail Of their purpose when
defective or incomplete in essential partic-
ulars. The enormous number of errors in
muster rolls and descriptive lists show lack
Of thought and care in their preparation
and especial attention should be given them
to insure full and accurate information.
Commanders are cautioned that they are
mainly responsible for care in preparation
and correctness in execution Of such papers
and will take necessary steps to correct all
Irregularities Of this nature and Will see
that all officers Of their commands are prop
erly instructed in this important duty.
ComIndHueTS VIII Keep themselves informed
respecting their commands and assure
themselves that their officers are acQuaint-
ed with regulations and orders especially
the important ones relating to the service
in these islands, requiring recitations when
necessary for this purpose.
Reform Insisted Upon.
"All commanders throughout the division
are required to insist upon reform In re-
spect to the matters related above when
ever the necessity exists, and to take proper
disciplinary measures respecting neglect or
disorder in every case coming under OBJ
servation, and to enforce standard of de-
pertinent, discipline and courtesy which
will compare favorably with that maintain
ed in the United States prior to the Span
ish war and which Is now exacted there and
expected here. The necessity for this order
is regretted, but it is evident to every one