Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1905-01-18
JAPANESE WAR OUTFIT.
TROOPS WELL PROTECTED
AGAINST cOLDEST WEATHER.

teral-Grcat Coats of Thick Wool.
en- Coodo and Hooded-Many De.
tails of How the Health of Soldiers
Is Preserved.
Miss McCaul. who was recently COM
missioned by Her Majesty to go to Jap
an to inquire into the working OF the
japanese Red Cross society, has
brought back with her the complete
outfit Of n soldier of the Japanese I'M
perial Guard which was presented to
her by Gen. Teranchi. the minister of
war, together with samples of the food
supplied to the soldier on active SER
vice. These various articles, which
nave been inspected by the king, who
mas expressed great interest in the
many ingenious devices they present.
will shortly be exhibited at the Royal
United Service Institution, Whitehall
They are worthy, says the British Med
ical Journal, which publishes special
photographs, of the most careful study
by all military officers and afford a
striking example of the care and
strong common sense with which the
health and comfort of the soldier are
considered by those responsible for his
outfit and the minute attention to de-
tail which is characteristic of the Jap
anese army
One notable feature of all the cloth.
ing is that 1T is apparently made of the
best material. The material for tho
winter clothing appears to be all wool,
ana warm. In the neat blue parade
uniform. jacket or tunic. plain fiat
brass buttons are done away with as
far as possible, fastenings being In
nearly all instances carried out by
means Of fiat hooks and eyes. The
summer jacket and trousers are of
Khaki drill; the jacket is perfectly
plain. and there are no buttons on any
or the garments. A strip of white lir-
en- is issued to wind round the neck as
collar inside the tunic. The forage
cap which goes with this uniform is
marvel of lightness. 1t has a detachable
linen cover to be used in summer. from
which hangs linen screen to protect
the neck. This screen being made in
thrce parts-a centre and two sides
allows the air to pass freely. For all
uniforms the trousers are made like
riding breeches, in that they end above
the ankle, where they are made TO fit
tight TO the limb. being fastened by
tapes instead of buttons.
Putues or CATERS must. of course. be
worn with these. The ordinary great
coat is of thick woollen cloth with
bone buttons. II has hood which can
be drawn over the head. A compare
lively small detail in the cut of this. as
also of the winter great-coat. shows
now carefully health and comfort, and
therefore individual efficiency, have
been considered. The free edges of the
front, instead of being cut straight.
slope outward below the waist max
ing the skirt OF the coat lap over more
completely below; it is thus prevented
from gaping in walking. and the legs
and knees are protected from rain. The
front of the skirt can be buttoned back
TO allow free movement of the lower
iltnos FOR marching in dry weather. a
mosquito net helmet or head cover
ing in addition to its value as a pre-
Nentlve of malaria, is great comfort
IN summer, where there are many flies.
The 'coldproof' winter oyercoat mer.
It's some description for ii seems to be
devised TO insure warmth in the most
severe climate. Made Of thick woollen
cloth, 1t has large collar covered with
FUR, which is of course inside when the
collar rs raised. From the middle of
the edge of this collar button or hood
can be pulled ont so as to cover the
head. and over this can be worn the
ample detached woollen "coldproof'
tob
ends TO wrap round the neck recalls
the hoods of Chaucer's time. Hanging
by cords from the neck are large
gloves or mittens-one division for
all the fingers and one for the thumb.
they can thus be worn off. when tne
hand is required for firing or any other
purpose. without being lost A sheen
skin waistccat with the wool outside
is also issued for severe weather. IL
fastens at one side. The undercloth-
ing Is or similar good material to that
OF the outer garments. a cotton shirt
and drawers for summer and a thick
knitted woollen jersey. or sweater
and pahts for winter. The ribbed wool
len stockings are made without heels,
ana warm toecaps and issued in The
coidest weather to wear over the stock
ings to prevent frost bite These toe.
caps are made of a lambs wool mater
1al like very thick lint. the soft surface
being inside. roll of fine striped
flannel of very good quality and about
yard and half long is issued to be
wound round the abdomen and takes
the place Of cholera belt. 1t is inter
esting TO note that the woollen cloth
and blanket are made In the Japanese
military wooilen cloth factory, while
hemp cloth. cotton cloth and leather
are mad" or prepared in private fac
tories in Japan and cut out and sewn
in the military clothing depot.-s.on-
don Globe.