New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
Army Is Unable to
Regulate Uniforms
OF Former Soldiers
New Rules Issued for Men
Still in Service;; Sam
Browne Belts Are Barred
When Officers Are i'm u. S.

WASHINGTON, rep. ZO.-Admlttlng
that the War Department has no au-
thority over discharged soldiers in
the matter Of wearing their army uni
forms, new regulations to guide Off
GERS and men still in the service on
the wearing of uniforms and war dec
orations were issued by Chief of Staff
March.
Differing with the ruling announced
in New York on the basis of informa-
tion furnished by the Judge Advocate
General Of the army, the announce
ment by the War Department said:
"For discharged officers and men
the matter Of discipline is beyond the
control of the military authorities. 1t
is not possible, nor is it intended, that
the military authorities should pre-
vent the wearing by discharged off,
GERS and men of uniforms which do
not conform to specifications. The
present law prevents the wearing Of
the uniform for discharged enlisted
men, except en- route from the place of
discharge to their home, which jour
ney may take place within or may
consume three months from the date
of discharge. The uniform must be
returned to the government within
four months of the date of discharge.
For discharged officers the law is the
same, except that the uniforms, being
the property Of the officers, are not
required to be returned and the Off
GERS may also wear them on occasions
Of ceremony.
May Be Given Uniforms
"There is, however, q bill before
Congress to allow discharged officers
and the men to retain and wear their
uniforms indefinitely. In view of the
fact that this bill is clearly the result
of public opinion and will probably be
enacted into law, it Is thought best to
consider it as already IN force in so far
as it allows officers and enlisted men
to retain and wear their uniforms for
the time being"
The new regulations prohibit the
wearing Of English cut garments. ex-
cept by officers VINO are soon to be
discharged Brass buttons must be re-
placed with the uniform bronzed but
| tons.
The wearing Of breeches made Of a
different colored cloth or cloth of a
different material from the coat will
/ for the present be authorized, pro-
vided these breeches are not of such
an exaggerated color or cut as to
present an incongruous appearance.
Any overcoat which has been worn
and apparently authorized in any or
ganization may be worn by those soon
to be discharged. This includes over
coats with fur collars, leather coats,
short moleskin coats, trench coats,
etc. Officers leggings or boots will be
of leather. Enlisted men will not be
permitted to wear leather leggings or
boots.
The overseas cap, the divisional,
army corps or field army insignia
worn on the left sleeve just below the
shoulder and the spiral cloth puttees
are authorized for troops returning
from overseas for rehabilitation or
discharge.
The Sam Browne or liberty belt is
not authorized in this country and will
not be worn. This belt is the dstin-
gushing mark of the commissioned
ofhcer abroad, but there is no neces-
sity Tor ITS introduction into the Uni
ted States
Can Wear Decorations
Concerning decorations, to-day's or
der said:
THE prescribed wound and service
chevrons, and special individual deco
rations, such as the medal of honor.
distinguished service cross and medal,
and the appropriate ribbon sections,
are part Of the uniform. Special in
dividual decorations from foreign
governments, such as the French
Croix de Guerre, or similar decora-
tions from other foreign governments.
arc authorized These decorations
wIll be worn as prescribed in special
1917 N''' -
The French shoulder cord known
as the Fourragere, is, however. a part
OF tho French uniform, and only two
american organizations are authorized
TO wear it, namely, Sanitary Section
e45 and the 10Sd Aero Squadron. Cita-
tions arc not sufficient; special mn
thorization for the Fourrapera must
como from the French government
cuch decorations as gold and silver
stars on the sleeves, unauthorized
campaign ribbons, gold chcvrons prc-
sumcd TO denote that the wearcr has
peen a prisoner of war. or denoting
any, service other than prescribed for
such chcvrons, are not authorized and
VIII not bc M f+tn.5v - s~eN