The Washington herald., 1910-08-14
MUST GROW MUSTACHES
Absence in British Army attributed to American Feminine
Influence Royal Preference to Hrsute Adornment.

King Georges recent visit 70 Aldershot
has been followed by the issue Of a gen
eral order. reminding officers that they
are forbidden by the army regulations 10
shave the upper lip. These rules have
been more honored in the breach than in
the observance, a fact which is ascribej
10 the all-powerful influence Of the daugn-
fers Of Uncle sam.
/ Edward VII entertained very strong
views On the subject, 10 which on several
occasions he gave expression. and those
who know King George best will not be
in any way surprised II he takes adyan-
tage OF some Of the first levees at St
James Palace either 20 bar the clean
shaver officers Of the army from his
presence or II he does receive them. 70
manifest his disapproval OF their disre.
gard Of his wishes and OF the military
regulations. How much Importance queen
Victoria attached 10 the operations OF the
razor on the faces-of the officers OF her
army is shown by the letters which she
wrote TO the late Hugh Chnders. when
he was secretary OF state Tor war laying
down her views in the matter. and which
are published In his Life"
They are very characteristic missives
and. emphasize the fact that while there
shall be no shaving Of the upper lip fun
boards are strictly prohibited
AT the present moment. indeed. King
I George himself IS the only officer on the
active list of the British army who wears
full beard II he thus himself dehes the
military regulations for which he exacts
Obedience from others. 1t is because. Ia
addition 10 being the chief ranking oficer
+ OF the army. he is likewise the head Of
the navy. and It's admiral in chef and
among officers Of the navy the wearing
Of mustaehes IS strictly prohibited. ex-
cepting with "a fun beard. while clean
shaver faces are allowed. Indeed. the
only mustached officers Of the royal navy
are those foreign sovereigns who have
received commissions as admirais. namely.
Emperor William the King OF Denmark.
the King OF Greece. and the King OF Nor
way
/ Mustaches were worn by the British
cavalry at the beginning Of the last cen
fury. and Rawdon Crawley. when in
! Brussels. in the fateful DAYS Immediately
I
/ IN his injunction TO George Osborne 10
make Josh Sedley cut of his mustache.
Indignantly inquiring. What the devil
/ does a civilian mean with a mustache?"
The Horse Artillery followed next But
/ 1t was not until about fifty years ago
that mustaches were adopted by the in
fantry and by the British army generally.
, Emperor William. who has patterned
/ his navy in so many respects 10 that OF
Great Britain. IS very strict in forbid
( ding the officers OF his feet 20 wear a
mustache alone. ordering them TO wear
full boards II they wish TO retsin the
hair on their upper lip; otherwise TO
shave their faces clean or 20 restrict
themselves TO small side whiskers.
The Emperor felt himself obliged TO
issue this edict. owing to the fact that
/ many OF his naval officers had until then
! considered II necessary 20 pattern them
selves on their sovereign. in spite Of the
difficulty which, owing 10 sea mists. they
experienced in preserving, even with the