Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-28
THE NATIONAL GUARD
Summer Maneuvers Practi-
cally a Certainty.
GEN. HAIRLESS PLANS
ONEIDA WILL REMAIN WITH
LOCAL NAVAL BATTALION.
Organizing the Field Artillery-Dis-
trict Rifemen May Go Abroad
For a National Trophy.
GEN. HAIRLESS PLANS

The few days Of spring-like weather dur
ing the week ending today, following upon
the recent bitter cold snap, have caused
District National Guardsmen to devote a
portion of their thoughts to the, annual
summer outing of the brigade. Only little
more than four months intervene between
the present and the time the citizen soldiery
of the national capital usually take the
field. In this connection the announcement
that the comminding general remains firm
ly Of the opinion that an extended series Of
maneuvers should be substituted for the
customary fixed encampment must be of far
more than passing interest to all concerned.
General Harries. who was the principal
speaker at the celebration that marked the
twentieth anniversary of the organization
Of the Corcoran Cadet Corps-Company A,
I'd Battalion-last Monday evening at the
Hotel Barton, took occasion to refer to his
tentative plan for the summers work along
the lines Indicated The idea Is, as here
tofore mapped out in The Star, to have the
brigade advance, from base of supplies,
on one of the nearby army strongholds,
either Fort Washington or Fort Hunt. Reg
ular troops it is hoped, will participate in
the maneuvers. The engineers may be
called upon to construct a pontoon bridge
tomac river. The Naval Battalion man
ming the Fern and the Oneida will have an
opportunity Of cooperating with the land
forces.
maneuvers by General Harries during his
speech at the anniversary celebrati ton, al
though not SO intended, was in the nature
Of test to determine the views Of the
enlisted men of the brigade regarding a
series Of maneuvers in lieu of fixed
camp. The Corcoran Cadet Corps Is re-
garded as one of the representative organi-
cations of the brigade, and one whose opin-
ion is worthy of consideration. From the
enthusiasm manifested and the long con-
unued applause that greeted the remarks Of
the commanding general it would seem that
the proposition Is most certainly regarded
with favor. It seems that the maneuvers
are assured
Oneida to Remain Here.
In regard to the Naval Battalion partici-
pating in the exercises, it is practically a
certainty that the Navy Department will
not recall the U. S. s. Oneida from service
with the local organization Of taekies. It
VIII be remembered that at the time the
vessel was turned over to the Naval Bat
TALON she was practically useless for naval
or. in fact, other purposes. In the pro-
vision for the National Guard, included in
District of Columbia appropriation bill,
$1,000 was allotted for repairing the Oneida.
Now that she has been put In ship-shape at
the expense. to all intents and purposes, of
the District, 1t Is not regarded as fair that
the Navy Department should recall her
from service here. Furthermore, informa-
ton from the department Is to the effect
that the officials there have no serious in
tention of interfering with the Naval Bat
talon in its use of the Oneida.
Plans for Field Artillery.
The organization of battery of field ar
tillery, to be part Of the District of Co.
lumbia National Guard. is now merely a
question Of time Steps have already been
taken to secure from the ordnance depart
ment Of the army the necessary equipment
including guns, harness and the like
The command of the new battery has
been formally rendered to Capt. Alfred P.
Robbins, aid-de-camp, D. G. Militia. Gen.
Harries last Saturday personally asked
Captain Robbins to accept the position, say
Ing that 1t seemed to be conceded on all
sides that he was the proper officer for the
place. Captain Robbins has taken the offer
under consideration.
1t Is believed that no difficulty will be ex-
perienced in speedily securing the full quota
Of members for the new organiZa ton. Ar
rangements will very likely be made with
one or more liverymen to the end that one
set of horses may be at the disposal of the
battery whenever animals are needed, so
that the possibility of the command being
compelled to contend with green horses
every time it appears in public will be elm
mated.
Matters Of Workmanship.
A pistol competition between teams made
up respectively of members of the Metro
politan police force and of members Of the
Washington Revolver Association will &C.
cur this evening, beginning at o'clock, in
the rifle gallery, Center Market Armory
The teams will consist of ten men each. in
stead Of six, heretofore.
The policemen will be posted fifteen yards
in front Of the targets and the association
men twenty. The public is invited to wit
ness the shooting.
The competition with pistols between
teams composed, respectively, of members
Of the Washington Revolver Association and
of the Montreal Amateur Athletic Associa-
ton will occur next week, the Canadians
shooting Thursday evening. March 5. 1t is
thought that by reason of the difference in
the make Of the revolvers to be used. the
Montreal association will allow the Wash
ington Association handicap of five points
In ten shots.
The regimental team match for February,
shot last evening in the rife gallery re-
total being 431, while that Of the 1st Regi-
ment was 400.
Local Rifemen May Go Abroad.
1t is confidently expected that several
bers of the picked team Of American rifle
men which the National Rifle Association
Of America desires to send to England
next summer, armed with the latest pat
tern -Jorgensen rife. to try once
again their skill against the riflemen of
other nations. The National Rifle Assoc
citation has issued an appeal for funds to
defray the expenses of such a team to
contest for the Palma trophy.
Within the last two years rife teams
from abroad have visited this country, de-
feated American riflemen and carried home
with them the two international trophies
which were won by American experts back
In the seventies and eighties. The reason
for this is not that the United States has
not as good shots az in the old days. but
that the followers and patrons of the sport
have, during the last twenty years, de-
creased considerably in number as well as
experience.
What Happened Last Summer.
It is pointed out that in order to see
what the indomitable will of the Ameri-
cans can do when they are aroused to ac-l
tiop it is necessary only to revert back to
the summer of 1902. With the determine
ton to regain the Palma trophy, emblem