The National tribune., 1902-09-04
THE NEW ARMY UNIFORM.
Not to be Worn by Troops Till Next Year.
Olive Drab the Color-old Union Blue for
Full Dress-Field Uniform serviceable but
Unbeautiful.

Not to be Worn by Troops Till Next Year.
olive Drab the Color-Old Union Blue for
Full Dress-Fisld Uniform serviceable but
| Unbeautiful.
The new Army uniform is not what
might be called blooming success" with
either those who have to wear it or the
public. 1t is not thing of beauty, and
will never be a joy. No one can grow
enthusiastic over ..drab green or ''olive
| drab," which means shade of green that
a model housewife would feel indicated
| the presence of dust, and instinctively she
wants to shake it.
The new uniform has called forth so
| much adverse comment that the War De-
| partment sends out bulletin every day
| or two telling why i was best to adopt
this ''oliye Irab" curiosity, it being a
cross between bicycle togs and a golf suit,
with a touch of hunting gear about it.
| The latest bulletin was issued Friday,
when Acting Secretary Sanger postponed
the time tnat the order for new uniforms
shall go into effect from Jan. 1 to July 1,
1903. This is done, it is said, in order
| that dealers may obtain supply of
goods from which to manufacture the new
uniform and to give the officers more time
to prepare for the change.
The new uniform is to be exploited be-
fore July, 1903, however. 1t will be off,
Corbin, Ma. Young and Lieut.. Nc
Kinley at the manuvers of the German
army in the Province of POsen early in
September. Gems. Corbin and Young, to-
gether with Brig. Gen. Wood, will be the
official representatives of the United
States Army on that occasion, and as such
will be entertained as the personal guests
of the German Emperor. Lieut.. Mckin-
ley is the Aid of Gen. Young. He is a
nephew of the late President Mckinley.
These officers have been completely
fitted out with the new uniform, both
dress and service. and will wear it on
official occasions in Germany.
The new field uniform consists of coat
or blouse, breeches and hat, all Of an olive
drab shade and made of wOolen material.
The blouse is lOose-ftting and has four
large patch pockets. 1t has a falling col
lar and shoulder loops. On the latter is
worn the indication of rank. On the col
lar is displayed the United States coat of
arms and the insignia of the corps or
branch of the service to which the wearer
belongs. The saber is worn suspended
from Il plain russet leather belt strapped
outside the coat.
The breeches are extremely full at and
above the knee, to give freedom when rid
ing, but fit tightly, by buttons or laces,
below the knee to the ankle. With the
breechGs are worn either top-bOOts of
russet leather or russell leather shoes and
russell leather leggins, the latter fastened
with n strap. Spurs of white metal are
worn.
A cap is provided to be worn with this
uniform. 1t is of the same color and ma
terial, but it is expected that the present
campaign hat so familiar to all will usual
ly be worn instead. The latter harmonizes
with the uniform and meets service re-
quirements.
A new button has been adopted for all
uniforms the principal feature of which
is fac-simile of the National coat-Of-
arms. On the dress and full-dress uni
form the button will be of gilt, but on
the field service uniform it will be of dull
finished bronze.
Throughout the Army the sentiment for
the blue is as strong now as it is with the
veterans of the war of the rebellion The
blue, however, has not been discarded. 1t
is retained as the dress and the full-dress
for all officers and enlisted men, and will
be worn on parades and other occasions
Of ceremony, just as it has in the past.