The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-12
SHARPSHOOTING
INTERNATIONAL RIFLE MATCHES.
A Worlds Congress of sharpshootsrs-Th Con-
ditions Of Rife Practice at Wimblsdon-Ths
British National Rife Association-Cap-
ture of the Elcho Shield BY the
Irish Eight-A History Of The
Next Franco Prussian War.



The Rnqlish. Scotch Irish ana Canadians were
ranresented In the present years shooting at VIM
h,sdon n IL happened that the Americans were
osered AN opportunity to compete with the British
on their own wen furnished grounds at Wimbe-
don-say 10 carry OF the famous Echo Shield
so calamity this season by the Irish after sew
eraI wears OF deieat--doubtless men would be
found who would creditably represent u.s. The
British by the position they won In establishing
Wimbledon as national institution, are entitled
TO take the lead in promoting international rife
matches Judging nom the past. 1t is hardly to be
doubted that they will do so. The initiation OF
such movement, one may well believe Will be
attended by far-reaching consequences AS
means OF promoting the cause OF peace, what's q
worlds peace congress compared TO a worlds
rine match 1t remains to be seen from what
quarter viii come the Official proposition for the
assembly OF q congress OF sharpshooters with
the view OF. testing the skill IN craftsmanship
and the quality OF the weapons OF 1.-The men
OF the various nations. The establishment OF
Wimbledon and the great volunteer organization
simultaneously accomplished were England's form
OF answer in 1861, TO threats OF French INVASION.
Aggressive Powers would now be cautious about
bringing troops within range OF "thickened"
skirmsh line OF men trained to hit figure no
larger than a man at distance OF 1000 yards
Enuland,s preeminence in TINS respect must rem
der her. on the one hand fearless OF competition,
and on the other willing enough to encourage
test ilu trations OF the proficiency acquired and
the qualities OF the weapons used by the marks
men OF other nations. There is no need to dwell
ON the various obvious advantages TO result from
such amicable international strife. War between
two nations is possible only IN case OF ignorance
on either both sides as to the relative strength
OF the opposers; hostile feelings. growing out Of
ignorant prejudice, speedily give way before
every form OF friendly competitive intermingling
The wholesome local effects OF outdoor exercise,
military discipline and the training OF the eye,
hand and mind winch attend the organization
and competition OF corps OF sharpshooters. canno:
longer be subjects OF argument. The two great
Powers which have shown others how to avert war
by referring their quarrel to an international
court OF arbitration may well lead in adding
another and most important to the various useful
forms Of competition between nations
WIMBLEDON.
To show what has been done by the Engishmen
In the matter OF training sbarpshooters 1t Is neces
sary briefly to review the history OF Wimbledon as
national shooting ground and the conditions of
rlne practice there. The National Ride Associa-
tionn which is the ''head centre of sharpsnoOters
throughout the United Kingdom and the
colonies, and to which is due the establish
training school, was founded in $780, "to give per-
manence to volunteer corps and to encourage
rifle shooting throughout the Queens dOminions."
The movement mad its origin in the apprehension
OF an invasion OF English territory by the French
under Napoleon ILL.,, who was suspected OF de-
sign to consolidate his power by provoking war
with the ancient antagonists OF his people. The
list OF officers, trustees, &C., OF the association
presents 100 more OF the most illustr.ous nAnes
of the kingdom, beginning with the Prince OF
Wales as .'patron, and Field Marshal His Ro yal
Highness the Duke of Cambridge, X. G~" as
.President." The county associations, in connec-
ton with the National Association, number "a /;
and there are also associations In Canada,
6; Australia, 4; China, 2; India. 8; New Zea-
land. 4; South Africa, 8, and one each in
Japan, Mauritlus, Prince Edwards Island and the
West Indies. These associations embrace o vast
body OF volunteers, and the representatives
selected from them by process OF trial matches
swell the list OF competitors who annually assem-
BILE in camp at Wimbledon to about 600 men. The
realiZable assets OF the National Association
amounted last year to more than f1s.0oo
nearly 100000 Wimbledon Common may
be said to be merely suburb OF Lon
don, as it is, perhaps, not more than
u miles from st. Paui's church, and during the
season two weeks OF rife matches it is favor
lite popular resort while the final day. with its re-
view, sham battles, distribution of prizes and pres
ence OF royalty attracts spectators by the So 900
The list of prizes which are competed for embraces
q great variety, from ''Her Majesty's prizes
money, having an aggregate value of FL SIS
to sweepstakes" OF s.. each, given by Lon
don tradesmen. The number OF prizes offered III
1860 e. with an aggregate value OF f2, 23s; and
this gradually increased, until it amounted last
year to 1909 prizes, worth in all f10,772 In 1877
the entries for competition for the various prizes
reached the following numbers Entries for vol
unteer prizes, 1865; Tor prizes for all corners
British subjects), 1865; Tor special prizes, 720
and to these are 10 be added .he entries for the
miscellaneous petty contests, chiefly between
casual visitors Included under the head OF "pools,
running deer and SWISS prizesn slll4-making
total OF l05, 462. These large numbers are highly
significant OF a general interest IN rife practice
and the Official re ports show that there has been a
steady annual increase lii the numbers, from the
beginning, III $780, the close oI the present years.
season.
The targets which are placed at the eastern side
OF the vast common are arranged in groups or
rows OF eight or ten each ana the whole number
OF targets is above CO. The ranges are at various
distances, from l20 10 loo yards. The size Of
the targets is as ionows:-
At 200 yards6 II. x4 in bulls eve, in: centre, #
Ian yara ftx6 in. bulls eye, IT,; CENTRE #.
z Ss SsT.. Saulsin bulls eye I'll centre III.
The value OF shots Is reckoned by counting o shot
coming within the "buls eyer as four; W ithn the
'centre' as three, ana III Tue 'Outer space" as
two. The reading OF the score OF tue irish eight
below will be understood by reference to this
system OF notation.
The conditions and rules OF competition at VIM
bledon may be summarily stated as providing that
winners OF certain prizes at the local county and
other) contests may compete for specified prizes
at the general meeting at the camp. No bair
triggers allowed and no artificial rests, except
where specified There are a great number of
technical restrictions and requirements neces-
sary IN securing due system Ia operations, and
these are set forth in full In hand
books which are supplied to the members
OF the association. There does not appear, how
ever any provision for the competition here OF
other than British subjects. The Belgian Volun-
teers is the only outside organization named in
connection with the prizes, and they only as
givers OF the belgian Cnaienge CUpn ESQ, as
prize in commemOrati0n OF the warmly cordial
recepron OF the Volunteers at Wimbledon Camp,
In July, 1857.
The visit mere OF the Belgian Volunteers affords,
by the way, an excellent illustration pertinent to