The New York herald., 1876-02-06
THE CENTENNIAL RIPLE MATCH.
Will TIE BRITISH NATIONAL RIFLE AssocIA-
TIoN REFUSE TO SEND TEAM TO PHILADEI-

WILL THE BRITISH NATIONAL RIFLE AssocIA-
IIoN REFUSE TO SEND TEAM TO PHILADEL-
PHA f-msToRY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS.
When the American rife team visited Wimbledon
last year they were empowered TO represent the Ma
tioDal Rife Association in the matter OF inviting the
members Of the British Rife Association 10 be repre
sented by team at Philadelphia the rife tournament
which II is intended will take place there during the
Centennial Celebration. In accordance with this idea
the captain and other gentlemen who composed the
American team took the necessary steps invite over
here team from England. The invitations dd not as
the form OF a challenge; Official correspond
passed between the representatives Of the
tonal rifle associations but friendly understanding
arrived at England should be represented by
team at our rife match during the Centennial Ceebra
tons. II may have happened that Sir Henry Hal
ford and Captain Mildmay talked about sending over
what was to be known imperial team, to repre-
sent the British National ne Association, such team
TO be composed OF picked marksmen from the different
clubs IN Great Britain and Ireland but il certain
that the American team gave the gentlemen who
represent the British National Rife Assocat to under
stand that the coming America OF so selected
would bar Ireland Scotland from being in the field
if either country ht to be represented But from
recent kilograms received by the American National
Rife Association IL appears that the British National
Rife Association has interpreted differently the words
OF the American rife team while these were in Eng
land last year and the Engshnen claim that If
England should
SEND AN IMPERIAL TEAM
TO America next summer, other team from Great
Britain Ireland must be allowed TO participate in the
International match. IL this resolution which some
Of well known ri1emen here think premature,
should be insisted on by the English ntemen, 1t would
lessen the chances team England coming over
at ala mishap that would be greatly regretted by both
countries.
on the 9th of last December the American National
SAINT Inv faf IA TlG 1rla
orally throughout the world asking them TO participate
in the match for the worlds championship, which
would take place IN America tins year This invitation
was sent TO England, Ireland, Scotland France the
Dominion OF Canada, Italy, Sweden. Norway Australia
Prince Edward Island, India, Germany, and IL the
courtesy was not extended 10 other Powers whose
names not given above, this because the Ma
tiona Rifle Association was not aware that they had
any rife clubs within their boundaries
To this friendly national invitation the British Rife
Association, among other organizations replied thus;
LoNpoN, Jan. II, 1876.
The Directors resolutions alter conditions understood
new terms, Sir HENRY iiALFoRD,
National kihe Association, London,
The American Association male the following reply
to this cabegram:-
g, -. SEy Yonx Jan. ls 1879.
Any you organize will be accepted-Eugsh, Scotch,
GEORGE s. scHEMERHoRN, Jr. Secretary
The rather unreasonable attitude Of the British Rife
Association may as above Indicated be attributed to
team AID Sir Henry Haliord and others, when the
Americans were in England But when the officers OF
the British Rife Association had laid before their Board
the American circular OF December q, 1875 IL diff
cult to perceive how they could continue longer under
the impression that single team from England would
be received as the only and exclusively representative
one from Great Britain and Ireland.
The Scottish Rifle Association through its secretary
Mr. Robert Rental, the 10th OF last month wrote
Acknowledgement OF Americas invitation the contem-
plated rife tournament, and on the 29n elegraphed
formal accepance of liz and OH the 9TH of last month
no Of Can
acceptance OF the invitation extended BY the National
Rifle Association In addition to these acceptances of
AMERICAN PROPOSITION,
II is expected that Australia and other countries will
send teams to compete with US. In view of these facts
II will be seen how difficult il is for American rinemen
to accept the British view Of this International matter
AT the last meeting OF the American National Rifle
Association held the first instant the affair
by resolution placed in the hands OF the joint com
mtee of the National Rife Association and the ANA
teur Rifle Club, excepting the portion OF II which
relates to deciding the place and conditions OF the
match, which was left with the Board of Directors of
the National Rife Association, which in turn has re.
ferred these matters TO It's Executive Committee
Yesterday afternoon the writer had a conversation
with Major General Alexander Shaer, President of the
National Rifle Association. The Generals attention
was drawn To- a late telegram which appeared in the
HERALD, from which IL seems that England VIII not be
represented If ireland and Scotland send teams over
General Shaer said in substance, that challenge
has been sent 10 England or any other nation by the
riemen of America, but only friendly invitation TO
the rlemen of all nations, England Scotland and Ire
land included among the rest In reply 10 the qu,s-
tion TO whether the National Rife Association had
\ send teams General Shaer said
''Decde TO admit them Why, we have invited them
and will not go back on our invitation OF course.
Here the General referred TO the circular letter OF the
National Rife Association, and said that the Americans
would stand by that. He further thought that
the invitation to take part IN the approach
| ing rifle tournament cannot be tortured into
anything else than what IS America has challenged
no one, and don't see how the national pride of
England allow her to keep out of contest like
this Scotland has already accepted our invitation,
and there is why the National Rife Associa
tion should change Its original intentions or de
cline allow Scotland to participate in the contest to
which she has been invited We invite the whole
world and bound to receive all who properly
accredited There is no chance of change in the
programme lately adopted, because there ap
pears be reason for any change
Perhaps the impression prevailed among the
members of the American team when they were in
England, that II would be difficult TO get any other
than an imperial team tO come over TO America but
they authorized TO arrange any details for the
international match Our desire has been aud is OBJ
from all countries TO take part in these matches aud
we feel that there is
WHY SCOTLAND OR IRELAND SHOULD RE EXCLUDED
than there is to exclude Canada Australia these
countries integral parts OF the British
realm. | am confident that after renec-
ton the National Rifle Association or Great
Britain will look upon the matter in the light
that do, and send team. We propose to
make the American prize elegant and costly trophy
something worthy Of the best efforts Of any and all
aspirants in the manly art OF rifle shooting And
would all be very much disappointed II should
from Ireland The Rigbys cannot come;
Dr. Hamilton has gone to India aud Captain Walker is
away service, that the Irish team of
1875, Is greatly broken up; but there still
IN ireland so many excellent shots from among
whom fine team might be selected, that there can
DO little doubt thai Ireland will be with The
luton passed the I'D OF last month by the
British Rife Association, and referred by Sir Henry
Haford in the cable dispatch OF the Sd inst, has not
yet reached the American National Rife Association
although from HERALD dispatches, it is understood
that that resolution authorized Sir Henry TO organize
al her