The Washington times., 1904-01-31

TNHE recently introduced changes in
the uniform of our regular army:
4 the thorough test which this
innovation stood with such gratifying res
Germany are making preparations to
follow our example In this particular
line, are all causes of much congratula-
ton at the War Department. especially
I'm view Of the fact that both Germany
and France are recognized by all mill
tary powers as countries whose military
establishments are the acme OF per-
lection and efficiency in every partlcu-
lar.
The Naval Uniform.
The question as TO whether a change
in the uniform of the naval force of this
country IS advisable. forms at present
the subject of much speculation and
discussion at the Navy Department.
The proverbial ''navy-blue" has not al
ways been the color OF the American
SEA fighter. as the following clearly
shows. The first American naval uni
form OF which there is any official
knowledge, is contained in the following
resolution of the Massachusetts coun.
Gil. April. f77e. one Of several providing
for the regulation of the sea service OF
that colony:
Sailors in Green and White.
Resolved, That the uniform OF the
officers be green and white, and that
they furnish themselves accordingly;
and that the colOrs be awhile flag with
green pine tree. and the inscription
An Appeal to Heaven
When the Continental navy was form
ed. one of the first things thought of
was a uniform for the officers, but IT
seems was merely question whether
the seamen wore a prescribed dress;
probably none was required. The pre-
vailing colors OF the Continental army
in 177G were blue, red and buff; the fac
ings OF the blue coats were sd, and the
plumes white. tipped with red The bun
and blue. commonly regarded as the
Continental uniform, was ,aar Of the
general officers and not of the body OF
the troops. In the navy the same was
the case. The prevailing colors Of the
uniforms Of the officers OF the navy
were blue and red: the uniform OF the
marine officers was green and white
the colors Of the Massachusetts, flag
and ef the flag OF the floating batteries
II does not appear. however, that
there was ever issued any official order
prescribing n uniform for the officers OF
the Continental navy.
First Official Order
On the 5th Of September. 177s, the
marine committee prescribed the fol
lowing uniform for the navy and marine
officers OF the United States Navy
which is the first official regulation OF
the subject:
| Captain-Blue cloth. with red lapels
slash cum, stand-up collar, fiat yellow
buttons, blue breeches. red waistcoat
with narrow lace. Lieutenant-Blue
with red lapcls. round cun faced
with red. stand-up collar. yellow but
tons. blue brooches. and red waistcoat
plain. Master-Blue. with lapels
round cuff, blue breeches, and red waist
coat. Midshipman-Blue lapeIled coat
a round cuff faced with red. stand-uI
collar. with red at the button and but
tonhole, blue breeches, and red waist
coat Marine officers-A green Goa
faced with white. round ciff, slasheC
| sleeves and pockets, with buttons
around the cuff. silver epaulette on tn
right shoulder, skirts turned back, but
tons 10 suit the facings. white waist
coat and breeches, edged with green
black CATERS and garters; green Shirt
| for the men.
William JennisOn. lieutenant o
marines on board tho L. S. S. Boston
Capt SgmueI Tucker. on April H. t77S
made rcquisition for "for,y greei
coats faced with white. forty whit,
waistcoats and forty white breeches