The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-05
FOR THE PALMA TROPHY.
American Rifemen Pttted Against
Canadians mt Sen Gfrt.

SEA GIRT. y J., Sept 5-This is
Palma day at the rifle range and the first
time that a team from a foreign country
has tried to wrcst the Centennial Trophy.
emblematic Of the worlds championship
from the United States marksmcn since
1877. The horizon is cICudIess and a gen
tie breeze prevails, making shooting con-
ditious perfect.
The programme for the day contains on
ly two events. a Carbiue team match and
the match for the Palma trophy. The
former is open 10 teams Of FIVE men from
any regiment, squadron, or troop of the
Regular Army or National Guard Of the
United States or foreign Governments
Each man viii fire five shots at both POO
and 500 yards. The prizes consist of a
medal TO each Of the Winning teams and
an additional cash prize.
The Palma match is open 20 the world
and the only restriction put upon the en-
try Is that members of teams must be
natives Cf the country they represent
The use Of the national military arm Of
the country the team represents is called
for and each member Of the team must
fire fifteen shots at each Of the three dis
tances-S09 go. and 1000 yards Any posi-
tion is allowed and the use Of orthoptic
sights is also permits The latter clause
favors the Canadians greatly, as they are
accustomed TO shooting with an orthoptic
which is a little device held in place by
the muscles surrounding the eye, some
thing on the order Of a mouocle.
The object is TO confine the range Of
vision to a small area around the target
and at the same time magnify il some
degrees. The prize is the American Cen
tennial Palma Trophy. the team champi-
onship of the world. a bronze medal 70
each member Of the winning team and a
handsome gold medal to the competitor
making the highest aggregate score
Two teams are entereei. the Canadian,
representing the Dominica of Canada. and
a team representing the United States.
The selection Of the United States mar
rowed down to five men from the First
and Second Regiments OF the District Of
Columbia and I've men from the First.
Second, and Fourth Regiments Of New
Jersey.
The Canadians represent the best that
the Dominion can boast OF in the mill
tary field
The Palma trophy dates back to 1876.
the Centennial year when invitations
were sent 90 all the countries where rife
shooting held sway, asking them TO COM
pete for the grand American trophy II
resembles in shape a Roman legionary
standard and bears the inscription: In
the name Of the L. 5. OF America. to the
rihemen Of the world"
All the countries invited. except Eng
land. accepted. but only teams from Ire
land. Scotland. Australia. and Canada
competed, the others being defeated in the
preliminary stages Of the contest. The
match was shot in September of that year
and lasted two days. The Americans won
by p points, thsir score being 3.l26 points
1t was after II O'Clock when the com
mence firing call was sounded in this
historic match. The crowds of visiting
teams and spectators had been gathering
all the morning and the crowd that back
ed and fanked the contesting teams was
/ easily the largest and mos. enthusiastic
that has collected to watch a rifle match
at Sea Girt.