Evening Republican, Volume 20, Number 247, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1916 — Hot Weather Hike by Japanese. [ARTICLE]

Hot Weather Hike by Japanese.

Under a scorching sun that at times drove the mercury up to 130 degrees Fahrenheit?2,ooo soldiers of the Japanese army, Formosa and the Pescadores, made a 12-day march in Formosa between July 1 and July 12. Only three cases of sunstroke are reported. The first nine days were spent in marching, and the troops actually covered more than one hundred miles. The last three days were spent in maneuvers. With a view to finding the best clothing to protect Soldiers from the heat, the soldiers* were allowed to wear any costume they pleased. Sopie wore helmets, some straw hats; some wore an ordinary uniform with a hole on either side, or a knitted undershirt, or a thin kimono ; some wore their heavy boots; some tabi. Besides their clothing, the best food and drink for soldiers under these conditions were also studied.