The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-11-08
THE RIFLE.

| PANS AS SHOOTING GRoUND-wHAr is
THOUGHT OF MAJOR LEEcH's PROPOSITION.
The following 10 the OF MaJor Lecchs letter TO
Mr. George s Schcrmcrhorn, Jr, Secretary OF the Ma
tional Rife Association, in reference TO proposed
match at Paris In 1878, suggestion OF which was re-
ccived by cable and published In Yesterdays
/ HERALD
No. 40 RUTLAND SQUARE DusLrS. Oct 20. 1877
My DEAR SrR.-lt is needless Tor me 10 repeat hero
OF the great skill and endurance which
brought 10 successful termination Tor America, tho
match with the British team the Centennial trophy
as have written al length on this subject to tho
Forest and Stream and toward tho close OF tha lotcr
alluded 10 matter which dId not Iuflner parncu-
arize that would shortly havo the pleasure OF BRING
ing TO your notice, ana as there - no reason why
should longer pause 10 open tho suncct tor me con-
sderaton your association, shall now proceed 10
By the rules OF the Centennial match tho winning
team may select range the future competition
for that trophy the OF which are tho cham
pon re shots OF the world so long as they can noid
The American success Mt Crccdmoor has been uni
form hitherto cause II 10 be asserted that the
range gives an undue advantage to the American eam
ana that perhaps change OF venue might not DC I'M
acceptable TO your champions IL has occurred 10 mo
that some neutral ground, which before vcnturcd 10
suggest, might be agreed upon for the next comp'-
ttion.
Again, the Irish and American match is one that
have reason believe the wish OF the Americans,
rs certainly is the desire OF tho Irish, to ncrpetuac.
sill further induce AS lar as rllle shootlng
intercourse cam that kindly reciprocity OF icohns SO
happily existing and II IS very gratifying 10 icel hat
gu united efforts to create good Will are iuiy ac-
owicdgcd u, both sidcs OF tho Atlantic me great
Worlds Exhibition to take place In faris IN 1919
would secm to offer all the advantages OF heutrai
ground Tor ono or both Of these competitions,
II any proposal Is fav0raby received, and u
your team decided on coming 10 Europe next year,
reed not say what pleasure II would give US 10 well
come our American friends once more ana u raIis %
selected for tho Centennial match, have no doubt
that irish team will DO certain TO enter lot ~.
That tho French authorities would give US factcs
Tor such trial OF skin have reason 10 peHeVc apo
The terms beng already settled we have but TO adhoro
TO tho rules OF tho Centennial match with KIND re-
verv ,ni,ninly. ARTHUR u. LEECH.
Colonel scuKRMKgnoRS Secretary National Rne Asso-
cation OF America, New York.
FAVORABLE FEELING
The pows pubshed In yesterdays HERALD with ref
the Irish invitation 10 another trial OF inter
national skill has caused quito hutter among tho
among those 81 .hom who we're yesterday
ton 10 tread on tho Irish coat tail once
more should be unrescryedly accepted. the irish
and the Americans looked upon as the in!tiat0rs
Of these pleasant international meetings. ana as mucn
on this account as becausc OF tue friendly feelings
which have marked the meetings OF the champion
shots OF both nations u strong bond OF sympathy
has been established among them. The TACT oil inc
challenge itself TO the holders OF the Centennial trophy
will involve an acceptance oy American riicmen, ana
the subsequent arrangement OF matters oil detail VIII
depend upon circumstances. Although the Amcr.
cans would gladly meet next year teams from Eng
Iand Scotland or any other country wishing 10 enter
tho great ro tourney STILL only the irish como on
the neld, theso VIII he met.
Ing next year Foreign rincmen have objections to
Crecdsuoor, believing tnat bong the practice ground
OF the Americans gives hcm undue advantage over
the visiting teams The same objection would hold
good, TO q certain extent, with regard TO Wimbledon
and Doymount; therefore Paris would DO neutral
nold 20 which no objections could be raised There
also the additional incentive oil the Exposition, which
Is 10 ,akc place the French capital next year, and
perhaps the chance OF teams representing France Bel
GUM and some OF tho other European Powers.
The shooting OF tho American teams In The hrst two
international contests seemed TO justify the foreign
marksmen IN believing that tho Americans are weak
tho 900 and 100 yards distances, and hence The
suggestion OF the Irish that the latter range should DC
included IN the conditions for q separate trial OF skill
between them and the Americans The Americans
have never with the exceptions o Two or three times,
shot at 100 yards the Creedmoor ranges do not
afford facilities for that extreme distances but the last
time that practice had thereby breaking down
portion OF the lence-it was proved that nearly As
good shooting could DO done as at 900 yards, Mr. J.
s. Conlin scoring iorty-six out OF h,y points. Tho
feeling now appears 10 be that an American team can
upon their own conditions.