New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-09-15
LONG NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
NEW STIMULUS FOR AMERICANS TO
| TAKE IT UP AGAIN

The loss Of the Palma trophy to the Canadians
and the defeat OF the American team by the Irish
rihemen promise to bring about q revival Of long
distance target shooting in this country. Several
lessons were taught at the recent match the Sea
Girt range, and the American marksmen con-
WINGED that with careful training for future
matches they can regain the lost laurels.
When the Irish challenged the Americans to a
long range target contest IN 1874 there was not
long range rife in tho country. to say nothing OF
men who knew how to shoot them. An enterprising
firm guaranteed to turn out satisfactory rifles, and
the challenge was accepted. There was e. deal OF
careful practice before the match. The American
marksmen caught the spirit Of the sport and man.
aged to develop a team which defeated the Irish
visitors For few years there were annual
matches, and the wearers OF the shamrock con-
tinued to be beaten at their own game Finally
they tired Of continued failures and additional
matches could be arranged.
Long range rife shooting speedily became back
number. The manufacturers OF arms did not keep
up their experiments and the rfernen sought other
sport. Then the proposal for long range
match this year. The conditions were the same as
In 1874 No one knew how to shoot, and there were
improved guns answering to the new conditions.
A gun under -3i1a cabre was required for all dis
tances. while the American guns for 800 and LOCO
yards were usually As calbre. High pressure guns
furnished by the government, however. and
the rihemen again began hurried preparation
They had to contend with ammunition which was
not accurate. and 1t is wonder that they made
good showing they did against the well
practsed visitors.
Just how unprepared the Americans were is we'll
told by Frank Hyde, who said yesterday to
Tribune reporter:
Three weeks before the match was invited by
General Spencer to come down and give the marks
men the benefit Of my experience. then had no
thought of entering the match. found four or
five trying to find" @O-yard target with
the rifles then available From fifteen to twenty
shots fired by each man before the target
hit at all. This not encouraging outlook
for meeting the veterans from across the water,
who had been in constant practice all the way f'n
five TO forty years.
With the exception Of a few shots two years ago
l had not taken rife in hand for twenty years
/ made few shots with the government ammuni
ton, and at once that IL not reliable
enough for good shooting at long range, but 1t was
too late to change The match was lost for want
before the match. and the team was not definitely
settled upon until hour before the shooting
began. Only two three OF us had ever shot In
similar contest We shall begin operations at
looking TO bring the cup home next year.
Makers of high class confident that
they turn out good high pressure gun for
long range targets the .256 cabre Mannlichers
used by the Irish team. They will not guarantee to
co 1T, however, few weeks notice.
American manufacturers of firearms not fall
ing behind their foreign rivals" said of The
large Broadway dealers yesterday. I'VE make
as good rifles and powder ever and that means
that better be made nowhere else. Long dis
lance target shooting has not been practsed in this
country for many years, and there has been no de-
mand for guns for that purpose. Now that
vval Of the sport is assured the makers will rise to
the occasion and develop a superior gun and ann
munifion that is absolutely accurate