Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-06
Gave a Drill.

1t was not on the regular program but
the scouts were invited to take part in the
Fridays drill at the fort on the Sd. The
officers were perfectly willing and the little
men jumped at the proposal. They We're
put on in the big riding hall between the
music ride and the Cossack drilE Their
appearance in the hall was greeted with
cheer. both from the distinguished guests
that crowded the building and the officers
and men of the 7th and the 9th, who were
filling every available corner OF the place.
The Filipinos were logged out in full dress
uniform, dark blue tunic and lighter trous-
ers, aigullette of light blue and cap band of
the same color. Their officers looked like
giants beside the little fellows. but cyl
IDENTIFY were proud and fond of their strange
command.
The scouts put up the Butts manual to
perfection, the rhythmic swing of their
white gioved hands keeping perfect time to
the music, each new formation and move
ment being greeted with applause from the
spectators. The Scouts still carry the ma
Ghetto and their cut and thrust work with
the big knives was given with a dash and
evident enjoyment that sat very naturally
on the native handlers Of the bolo and
kris. Probably knife work at close quar-
tiers would show that the 1.-the little men
are bad customers to handle.
There was just touch to the Windup of
the machette drill that showed the careful
soldier. The scouts had thrown down their
cdroneS WheH the KNIVES were drawn, and
every man as he picked up his carbine at
ter that part of the drill gave it a little
flick and shake and careful dust off of
the lock to clear the tanbark from the
mechanism of the gun, as though they
might want to use their carbines In earnest
the next minute. ,a
Fair English Used.
All of the noncoms. of the scouts talk very
fair English. and there are number Of
Engiish-speaking men In the ranks of the
privates. All of them are inveterate smok-
ers. and their officers say that one of the
good points of the scouts is that they would
rather smoke than waste their money at the
blue goose, which is now unfortunate
feature outside every army post since the
canteen was abolished. --... 8
There is one native Filipino among the
commissioned officers. He is Crispalo Pata-
jo, a native of the islands and second lieu
tenant in the regular establishment. He is
a good officer, well up in his work and quiet
and popular with the other officers of the
scouts.
The Filipino takes naturally to soldering
and under the American regime, where they
get their wages and are comfortably clothed
and housed. which was not the case during
the Spanish occupation, they like the serv-
ice immensely, and there is no trouble about
keeping the ranks up to full strength all the
time. 1t is probable that the battalion of
scouts" who are scouts no longer, but reg
ular soldiers, will be largely increased with
the next alteration of the military laws I'M
der which the command Is kept at it's pres
ent strength.
Drilled at Capitol.
There was a picturesque scene in the
east plaza of the Capitol this afternoon
that We'd in interest with that greater
exhibition that took place Saturday. The