Evening star., 1902-05-24


National Guard. and by reason of the riv-
airy between the organizations raise the
standard of workmanship in the regular
military establishment as well"
Views of War Department
In reference to the recommendation OF
General Bird w. Spencer. inspector general
of rifle practice of the state of New Jersey,
and president of the National Rifle Asso-
alton, that $4,000 be appropriated for
the encoura cement of rifle competition be-
tween military organizations of the regu-
lar army and of the National Guard. Major
James Parker. assistant adjutant general
United States army, made the following
interesting report to the Secretary of war:
This is in the line of practice and pro-
posed legislation of several countries, not
ably Switzerland and Great Britain, IN
which as in the United States, the MILL
taTy education by conscrlption OF the Whole
male population is not possible
1t has developed by recent experience
that the ability to hit mark IS very
large part of the value OF the instructed
soldier When conscription is not possible,
the encoura cement of rifle firing as mil
itary sport affords the government of a
free country the opportunity to give to me
male citizen nit for military service at least
a part of the training which is necessary
in war How important this part is can
be shown by numerous instances cited from
history in the last century, Where good
shots without discipline have been ahle 10
withstand the finest troops. 1t is also a
part of the soldiers instruction which re-
uuires much time, labor and expenditure,
as shown by the following examples:
ITO qualify a regiment of volunteers as
marksmen each man to fire 100 shots, with
a range having ten targets, It Will require
at the rate of ordinary shooting TWO
months or more. In the haste incident TO
the time of war, when troops are urgently
needed for active service, sufficient time
for target practice is rarely to be had. In
1859 several United States volunteer regi-
ments fired not more than fifteen shots per
man before gong into action
The difficulty at such times is to obtain
ammunition since a reserve amount OF
ammunition is required for active service
against the enemy; to obtain ranges ana
targets, since these are not often founo IN
sufficient numbers in the vicinity OF our
volunteer camps; to obtain instructors,
since few men of regiment are good shots
understand the principles OF instruction.
National System of Target Practice.
.sThe feature of the Constitution of the
United States and of the laws enacted un-
der it in 1899. which made all citizens liza
BILE for service in the militia, and which
encourages the handling and carrying of
arms by establishing the right of every
citizen to do So might well be extended
and made the animating spring of ma
tiOnal system of target practice, by which
all citizens fit for active service shall be
invited to qualify for this important attri-
butte of a good soldier-his ability to use
the tool of war with accuracy and skill
No more useful expenditure of money for
our national defense could be made than
the establishment in places near our CEN
tiers of population of target ranges, to be
maintained by the government and placed
in charge of officers and non-commiSSioned
officers; of the furnishing at cost prices or
less of ammunition; of the restriction as
6, 70 !, Of hn
military age of fitness of physique and by
whom such practice is needed; of the issu-
ing of certificates of proficiency as marks
men to such men, to be in the form of
handsome medal which will be handsome
enough to be priced by the recipient.
The Swiss system of government aid to
voluntary target practice is somewhat as
follows:
mune; the rifles and ammunition are pro-
vided by the government The marksmen
are organized into shooting societies. To
qualify member must make a certain
score in competition of thirty shots at
ranges between 200 and 400 meters. For
each of its members who qualities the So
ciety is paid a sum equivalent to a days
pay of a laborng man. In 1887 the num-
ber of shooting societies competing was
2.I1o. containing 1882 members, of whom
4.3'9 qualified, earning for the societies
$44620.
The Swiss military system is system
zen being obliged to serve. The course of
instruction includes compulsory firing
which can be avoided by enrolment and
qualification in the voluntary shooting So
cletY- This acts as a great stimulus to the
societies.
1T is assumed that the proposal of Cen
eral Spencer for government aid to the
National Rifle Association is with q vieuy
of inaugurating in this country an inter
est in target practice, which will eventu-
aiIy produce system of voluntary firing
similar or equivalent to that which now
exists in Switzerland. The approximation of
$1,000 will enable competitions to he hold
which will claim the attention of the conn
try, and by awakening popular interest
make the development of this military
sport, which is really military instruction
more general. 1t will be entirely in ac
cordance with the traditions of our conn
try. which first showed what the rifle was
capable of and which gained its independ-
ence largely by familiarity of our citizens
with its use.
Important Military Qualification
In regard to the other recommendations
of Gen. Spencer that a board of officers
made up partly from the United States
army and partly from the National Guard
be appointed to consider means for making
more uniform the method of rife practice
in the United states, it is believed that
such action will produce the best results
United States are rather in the National
Guard than in the army-this being due to
the demands of active service in the army
and it is incontestabe that there are
outside the army many more individuals
having scientific knowledge of the rifle
Among other things which should be de-
cided by such a board is the STYLE of tar
get used, there being much difference of
opinion as to the advantage of the recent
change made by the army in their target
A quick course of target practice for vol
unteers arranged so as to produce the best
results with the consumption of as little
time as possible might also be considered
by this board. Further, the board should
consider the advisabity of system of
general target instruction, government
aided, to include those not enrolled in the
National Guard. but who desire to fit
themselves in this most important military
qualification"
In addition to Gen. Harres, Gen Spencer
Nal Bell and others, Col. E j. Dimmick
inspector general of rifle practice has been
very active in working for the passage of
the bill.
Notes.
Second Lieutenant William E Browne
has been elected first lieutenant of Com
pany c, list Battalion.
Private Silas w. Brown has been elected