New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-03
THE COMING INTERNATIONAL MATCH.
a MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ENGLISH AND |
AMERICAN RIFLEMEN.

AMERICAN RIFLEMEN.
The Board of Directors of the National RIFE
Association met yesterday afternoon at No. lOZ
William-st. General L. L. Molineux the president,
was In the chair A grea deal of me was spent IN
revising the regulations for the selection and gov
eminent of the American Team who are 10 shoot ~
Wimbledon IN July. Most of the changes were
simply corrections of grammatical errors Nneh
the consideration of the special rules agreed upon
as 10 rifles was reached Colonel Lltchhed oOlecteu
to the regulation of the National R!ile Association
of Great Britain which provides that the ioreSlVn'
must be of the Government pattern called barley
corn" on he ground that II would exclude lore-
sight which the United states GOVerhhi'nt lecos
nlzed as servceaOe. Mr.. Seabury, the secretary
sud that the matter had been brought TO the aiteh-
ton of the National Rifle Association OF Great
Britain. which had refused 10 grant me CONCESSION
that COonel Llicntieli desired. lie then read 'he
following letter upon the subject, which he had Just
received from England:
NATIONAL RIFLE Ass lCIATIoN. II PAIL MALL EAST
10 The Directors Of The National hJe Association OF AWe'
icd 1902 W,Hda,St Ncv- York a., o,.
GENTLEMsN: Iu reply 10 your letter o! the -lst on
October am directed TO state that the Council OF the
National Rife Association of Great Britain regret lnat
you consider the terms OF the ate MILITARY halcn
Unequal. In laying down the conditions OF wnch you
complain the Council were solely actaseG ~ Ite pu
essentials military rifles should conform 10 the require
OF service al H. The notice OF ny C9ungi P U
% tne I'd November viii nave already informed you
ta6 inc VIM ea9EG ars u been Conceded to meet
Your WISHES. Taey much regret however, th.t
the 0aIleycOrn front signt altered as they deem
important mat TINS snOud he OF sufficient strength
70 stand rough usage. They thoroughly appreciate AL
your remarks encouraging improvements bn they
Of tunt in matters OF tns slhu Tue uiy vi
military arm should be made suoSerVeht 10 P"0
tice.
may point out that regards the match rifle, my
Council followed your Initiative aud permitted cleaning
between snOts, and other Innovations; out the e1
p-rence Of the last tree years has shown the dancer
10 allowing of methods wnlcu are unlraclcdl
except on "a rifle range. They have therefore resolved
return the rules former years, fooodrg clear
laHs nfu n -.
aud also az TO seating the bullet In the shelL Inc
Council desire take this opportunity OF stating bow
hlgy they appreciate the kind reception gwen TO the
the directors and members OF the ~ H.
A. OF America, ANA o. reeratn5 tue nope lhIt THESE
two great nations, and further cement the bonds OF
friendship which already unite them l nave the hohof
10 DC. gentlemen, your Obedien servant.
EDMUND ST. JONI MILDMAY,
Secretary National Rifle Association.
Colonel Lchieid thought that the cementing of
the bond, of friendship might be advanced DY
sticking TO the point. The foresight 10 which ho
mad reference had been used by the United States
Government since 1879 and II had also IN two ln-
stances TO his Knowledge been used at Wilnb edOn.
General Mohneux was IN favor of accepting the
English rule. He produced two rifles ana showed
the differ, nee in the two tOresights Inc one 10
which tue Eng ish jected was not Of nnre cone
shape but was squared at the end: Whlle the
match at CreedmOOr was III progress" he Sald, or
Henry Hafoid made protest against the
fore,ights that were being used by our men. lie
did not insist upon the 0blecilOu because, "a nc
sad he desired to AVOID all unplcasantness but he
me nOilCe tIaL III al AuleIicdu ltdih appear ~
1T Wimbledon nsig similar lOreslghts. they would
be ruled out. Are you prepared Therefore, to send
a team to England and run that risk T.
After some further scussion 1t was resolved
upon motion of Major NOISE, thar, in view Of the
m understanding, the sccr'tary be instrnc ed 10
send q pattern of the American foresight to the
National Rife Association OF Great Britain, aud en-
seayOr o get them to accept il. Colonel Lltchheld
gave notice OF his intention 10 offer resolution 10
abolish The ceaning OF match rifles between shots
at all the matches OF the National Rlile Association
Of America.