Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-04-12

horsepower engines burning RaSOilne, each
carrying enough fuel for about two days.
The motors have attained speed of TWEEN
ty-hve miles an hour when tested on an
ordinary highway, carrying the gun and
crew. Each weighs, with it's equipment,
1890 pounds, not including the men. A
gun squad consists of a sergeant and three
men, armed with revolvers.
Itinerary of the Squad.
The trip this year is to be made to Wash
ington by the way of Indianapolis, Ind.
Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio; Buffalo,
Albany. West Point, New York, Philadel-
phia and Baltimore. On the return the
National road fl, m Washington to the Ohio
river, by the way of Harper's Ferry, will
be used, with the view of testing the We
hicles in mountainous country.
The bicycle infantry has been organized
several years 1t has accomplished some
remarkable feats. The men have made
forced marches. going across stubble fields
and other difficult ground while riding
their wheels. They are drilled in scaling
walls eight and ten feet high, one set
standing upon the shoulders of the Others,
forming a human ladder, up which both
men and bicycles are passed.
They are drilled in loading and firing
without leaving their wheels, and carry
not only rifles, but revovers, blankets and
other equipment. Since the automobile bat
terry was added to the corps it has accom-
panied the bicyclers on many of their
cross-country marches.
Care of the New Rifles.
By direction of Major Stephan the non
commissioned officers of the 4th Battalion
have been receiving instruction regarding
the use and care of the new Krag rifles, re-
Gently issued. First Lieut.. w. Milton Far
row, the battalions inspector of rifle prac-
tice is the instructor. At the last meeting
twenty-five non commissioned officers were
IN attendance. Lieut.. Farrow spoke at
1ar, tiF1rr 1F haC "a ri nf
rifle. the correct mode of manipulation and
the proper way to maintain accuracy of fire.
In pointing out the necessity of urging
upon the enlisted men the value of prof.
cheney in rife practice, Lieut.. FarrOw made
reference to an extract from speech de-
HverCd by Lord Roberts upon the occasion
of the opening of the last meet of the Ma
tional Rifle Association of Great Britain.
Lord Roberts dwelt on the supreme inIpor-
lance of soldiers being experts in the use
of the rifle. He stated that the points which
We're forcibly brought home to him by the
war in South Africa were the necessity of
making soldiers good shots and of develop
ing their individual intelligence. No other
qualifications would make up for inferior
shooting.
However brave the men might be, how
ever well drilled. however well set up, how
ever well disciplined they might be, and
however capable they might be of great en-
durance of riding across the most diff
cult country, admirable and desirable as all
of these qualifications were, Lord Roberts
asserted that the men would be valueless as
soldiers if they were not experts in the use
of the rifle. He appealed to the patriotism
of the British public to help by all means
in their power to perfect the army in rifle
shooting, for he declared it was on skilled
shooting that the efficiency of the army alb i
solutely depended.
Recent Revolver Competitions.
The Washington Revolver Association re-
Gently held competition for the purpose of
selecting team of seven men to engage in
a match with the Manhattan Revolver Club
of New York city. Military revolvers were
used, the distance being twenty yards, each
man firing ten shots The personnel of the
team selected and the scores follow: Capt
Summers, 81 Lieut.. Farrow, 50; Major
Young, ST. Major Bell Sc; Lieut.. Holt, "a;
Sergeant Farrow, 30, and C. S. Wheeler, 81
Total, All.
The five men first mentioned were chosen
as team to shoot match with the Miles
Standish Club of Portland, Me. The condi-
tions called for pistols or revolvers at 20
yards. Military revolvers We're allowed
five points. The scores were: Capt. Sum
mers, 50; Major Bell, 81; Lieut. Farrow. 70;
Lieut.. Holt, Il, and Major Young, "A. To-
tai, 400.
The scores were certified by Dr. Crabtree
and c. s. Axtell, well-known marksmen
who came to this city from Springfield
Mass, expressly to witness the shooting
Inc opposing teams will exchange their
Appointments and Discharges.
The following appointments in the Dis
trfct Of Columbia National Guard have
been recommended by the brigadier general
commanding: Second Lieutenant Charles r.
Siegel to be captain, Company c, 9TH Bat
TALON; Sergeant Lemuel E. TAFT, to be sec
ond lieutenant, Company c, 9th Battalion
The following have been ordered honora-
Dly discharged on their own applications:
Private Herman F. Chichester COMPANY
b, 4th Battalion: Private John R. Ham
mersley, Company B, 4th Battalion; Pri-
vate Joseph Howser, Company c. 4th Bat
talon; Private William G. Scott, Company
A. 9TH Battalion; Private Leroy NJ. Has
kins, Company B, 9TH Battalion
By reason of removal from the District
Private Arthur w. Furbershaw Private
Clarence E. keefe and Private Milton f.
RouZee' all of Company A, 9Th Battalion,
have been honorably discharged.
ALI Serene in I'd Battalion.
Rumors of trouble in the I'd Battalion
have greatly exaggerated the true condi-
ton of affairs. so it is declared. 1t seems
that in connection with official correspond
ence Captain Hodgson of Company d re-
Gently offended battalion Headquarters He
was called upon to retract his remarks
but instead of doing SO threatened to re-
sign. The battalion commander promptly
forwarded to him blank form for resig-
nation. according to the story, but the mis-
understanding has been satisfactorily adj
1usted and in the mail this morning head
quarters received communication from
Captain Hodgson embracing the retraction
that was deemed necessary by Major Reich
elderfer