The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-06
AMERICA VERSUS IRELAND.
Rifle Teams Competing in an His
tOric Match.
Rival MnrkSmen Making Remark
able scores at the Sen Girt Ranges.
The Records show a Tie Between
the First -Four Partfcipants


able scores at the Sen Girt Ranges.
The Records show "A Tie Between
the First Four Participants.
SEA GIRT. y. J.. Sept. G.-On tie rifle
ranges here today one of the most i'm
portaut and historic contests for iuterna-
uonal supremacy with the rifle Will be de-
cided This is the American vs.. ireland
match which was first instituted in 1874
\ more perfect day for such a contest
could hardly be imagined. The sun shone
down from "a CloudIess sky and not a
breath of air disturbed the flags and dan
ger signals distributed throughout the
grounds. The targets stood out clear and
distinct at "A thousand yards and one could
see the bullseye clearly with the naked
eye. Although the first stage OF the in
ternationaI contest was not scheduled for
decision until II o'clock the crowds began
10 arrive az an early hour and a repeti-
ton Of the scenes of yesterday was en-
acted.
Back of the firing line at the SfO-yard
range the officers placed row upon row
Of camp chairs which rapidly filled up as
the time for the contest began to draw
near. Behind the chairs were drawn up
carriages Of all sorts and conditions from
the broken-down buggy Of the farmer 70
the stylish trap Of the summer resident
with its restless horses and smartly dress
ed groom.
The conditions in the Ireland VS.. Ameri-
ca match call for team Of eight men.
each to FIRE fifteen shots apiece at 800 800.
and 1000 yards. The rifles used are not
TO be over ten pounds in weight and with
4 maximum Calibre of -315 Any position
is allowed and any sight with the eXcep-
ton OF the telescope.
Foullye. of the American team. wac the
FIRST man To fire after the Commence
Hring" call NJ 1870. and his bullseye was
greeted with a round OF applause from
the crowded gallery. Major Millner fol-
lowed with another builseye for the
irishuen, but, unfortunately. it was on
the wroaE target and counted as a clean
miss. Thus at the very outset the team
from ireland lost five points. Shot now
followed shot in rapid succession, and
the men who worked the large score
boards erected for the benefit Of the spec
tators had their hands full
As the first stage of the match pro-
crossed II was seen that the unexpected
was happening and that the Americans
were holding heir own against the ex-
pertS from the Emerald Isle
Sellars was the first man TO finish his
string Of fifteen shots on the Irish team
and when his score went up IL was seen
that he had made fifteen straight bulls
eyes. the highest possible score, % points
Foulke was the first man on the Ameri-
can team to finish and he scored %. His
first thirteen shots were bullseyes. but he
broke on the last two shots. scoring only
four
When the scores for the first four men
from both teams were posted. the board
showed that they We're tied with an ag-
gregate score Of 279 each.
There IS no doubt the winning Of the
Palma by the men from the north Will
stimulate long distance rife shooting
among the militia in this country Al
ready plans for a thoroughly represen-
taLive American team 10 invade Canada
next fall are under way Several prcmi-
nent Representatives who have been the
guests Of the rifle association here during
the week have promised 70 use their in
fiuence TO get "A Congressional appropria-
ton for a national rifle range 10 be To-
Gated near Washington and conducted on
lines similar to the national English range
al Bisley. General Van Valen said today
during an interview. that the material
for the finest rifle shots in the world ex-
listed in the United States He says that
the money and ranges necessary 10 deveI-
OD them were lacking. The hope is ex-
pressed on all sides here that Congress
Will take up the matter during the next
session and make some provision for
national range.