New-York tribune., 1901-09-06
SAY ARMY MEN BLUNDERED
SECRETARY ROOT WILL BE ASKED TO
INVESTIGATE FAILURE TO SEND
TEAM OF REGULARS TO SEA GIRT.

National Guard and retired army officers are
indignant at alleged bunder by army off,
clals at Governors Island that has prevented
an army rifle team from entering the interna-
tionsl shooting match at Sea Girt, y. ]. For
NAL notice OF the blunder Will it is said be
taken to-day AT Sea Girt. II wss said last night
that Governor Voorhees, and the generals and
colonels at the Sea Grt meet would present
memorial to Secretary Root. calling attention
TO the absence of an army rifle team and ask
ing for an investigation
General George W. Wingate OF Brooklyn. Is
likely 10 take part in asking for an official
reason for the absence of an army team. When
seen yesterday at his office, No 20 Nassau-st
General Wingatc said;
The military public is unable TO understand whv
no team from the army. any OF regulars
anne at 8 & qT 6 shoa m RaS S m5d a fa 5he
An invitation sent by the Sea Girt authorities
In the Hilton and other matches. in which it was
stated that New-Jersey would furnish tents. camp
equipment and rations for them and would afford
the privilege OF It's clubhouse their officers which
was received from Governors Island that il the
state would pay the transportation of an officer
also that OF the members of the team TO Sea Ciirt
,,T ana take care care OF them when there team from
sition was, Of course, promptly declined by Gen
eral Spencer.
HE CALLS THE BLUNDER INEXCUSABLE.
IT. Is understood that this proposition arose from
points. Such blunder and the whole action OF
our our army authorities IN the matter inexcusable
These matches have occurred annually for many
years. and the army has frequently shot in them
at Creedmoor. When It once won il quit and an
army team did not make its appearance in them
for many years although 1t is against all sporting
uSages for a winner TO quit. The fact that the
matches take place is thoroughly well known and
besides, has been extensively advertised. The army
TO show its interest in the matter by having
@S sending contestants TO the other matches. Even
II ihe invitation had been broad as il was con
the dignity of the United States Government to ac-
cept such favors from State. The matches were
strengthen the national forces This is the pur-
pose for which he War Department is organized.
us men should have been sent there TO advance
TINS purpose, the same way they would TO per
should pay all the EXPENSES the government
OF OF course. neither Secretary Root nor Colonel
or the transaction, or they would have put up
that want Of initiative and failure to recognige @
Wh9t WI az Is going on around 1t which cause the army
SO frequently to make itself ridiculous. it has
The matches at Sea Girt this year are fully as
country Not only is there an International match
the navy have been competing. The marksmanship
has been of the highest order. 1t would have been
higher than 1t Is II it We're not that the National
Guardsmen from a number of States have been
obliged to shoot the old Springfield. not having
been able to secure the new small bore army rifle.
THE REVIVAL IN RIFLE PRACTICE.
This shows a revival in rife practice which is of
the greatest national Importance, and for which
General Bird w. Spencer and his associates
entitled to the greatest credit The State of New
Jersey has spared no trouble in providing a mag
nificent range and is extending every hospitality
to the visiting teams which ii was possible to give
Its Governor and leading generals all there.
They have, / think, done more for the competi-
tors than done at Creedmcor in its best
days; The only drawback Of the meeting and one
which has excited a great deal OF unfavorable
comment is the absence of a team from the army.
The experiences of the Boer War have demon
strated what all thinking men had previously rec
ognized. that accuracy in marksmanship is the
most important part of a soldiers training. and
that modern arms enable even undisciplined troops
of good long range shots to withstand organ
ized army.
In a country such this. which must necessarily
depend for it's protection in time of war on hasty
leVes Of volunteers. IT is of the greatest national
Importance that such an interest In rifle practice
should be maintained and developed as will make
our people familiar with the OF the rifle partic-
ulariy at long range 1t is of still greater impOr-
tance that National Guard in the various States
should be encouraged to become skilled shots For
this reason competitions such those at Sea Girt
are OF great value. They maintained in all
European countries: and France has gone far
that IL recently had competition between it's I
schooIboys in which s62 different schools shot. the
boys using, OF course, small rifles at short dis (
tances and shooting in their own localities.