Evening star., 1900-02-24
Will be exposed for twenty seconds.
shooter to fire six shots in that time.
Change in Army Pistol.

SHdhSc ARMY ffStOI.
1t is announced that ordnance officers are
seriously considering the advisability of
making change in the army pistol and
very important test of pistols is in pro-
gress at the Springfield armory The OBJ
ject of this test is to do away with the
present revolver feature of the pistol mech
anlsm. and to get a pistol which will in
effect be an automatic hand machine gun.
1t is the intention of the ordnance officers
to obtain, If possible, a pistol of the maga-
zine type, and already several of the more
noted guns of this description have been
examined.
Organized and Reserve Militia.
The bill of Mr.. Marsh, recently introduced
in the House of Representatives, ito pro-
mote the efficiency of the militia divides
the men between the ages Of eighteen and
forty-fve into the organized militia or Ma
tional Guard and the reserve militia. The
National Guard are to be enlisted for three
years. or until the expiration of their term
if called into the service Of the United
States. When SO called their service is to
date from the publication of the call, and
those neglecting to respond are to be pun
ished by court-matial. Militia courts are
to be composed of militia officers only The
organization of the militia is to be deter
mined by the states, but they are to be
trained in accordance with the drill and
tactics in use in the army.
In case Of need the President can call
them into service for nine months appor-
uoning the draft among the states accord
ing to population and issuing orders direct
to militia officers. In times of peace he
may accept their services for the purpose
of united instruction and discipline, with or
without troops of the regular establish
ment.''
Stills for Military Purposes.
A novel contrivance for getting over the
ground quickly is being actually tested by
the French infantry, so it is reported. Nom
commissioned officers and men of the 3ith
Infantry Regiment have been practicing on
stilts with excellent results. They were
able. 1t is said, to move at a great pace,
and to lay military telegraph line more
rapidly than can be done by soldiers SINH
larly employed on horseback The ease
with which they covered the ground with
giant strides, planting the posts and fitting
the wires, has excited considerable COM
ment Ia Europe. The soldiers on stills Sc
lected from the regiment stationed at Mont
de Marson, raced along the banks of the
Adour as quickly as horses, placing posts
and wire on their way. There was no diff
Guilty when the men had acquired the art of
walking six feet above the ground, and they
were able to do the work in a very efficient
manner,
The idea of utilizing stills in the army
has 1t Is stated, been taken from the adept
use of stills made by the peasant shepherds
tourists have often been surprised at the
agility displayed in the following of flocks
in moraSs and marsh lands by means of
stills. 1t is sight worth trip to Landes
to observe the weird figures skimnling over
the ground on their lanky wooden legs out
lined on a distant hill like a sandhill
crane. These peasants are so expert that
their hands are free. The foot rests on a
protection of the pole, which is also firmly
strapped to the wearer's leg.
Text Books for Gunrdxmen.
At the annual meeting of the National
Guard Association of New York at Albany,
Lieutenant Colonel W. H. Chaplin, inspec-
tor on the staff of General Roe. and presi-
dent Of the association, said: ct would
plead for system or scheme of instruc-
ton which will enable young men to obtain
a good military education while serving
in the guard. which will put within the
reach of every one so inclined text books
Of the best recognized authorities at the
Least possible cost; that q recognized head