Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-17

The government takes the ground that the
object of such rife practice Is to awaken
an interest in the subject; to promote SKIN
in the handling of the rifle among soldiers
on furlough and the reserve; for the train
ing of serviceable ritiemen from persons
outside the military service, and to enaple
good riflemen to keep themselves in form; ,
In every garrison opportunity is anoroeo
for practices, and in all communities IN
which there are serviceable and available
shooting ranges and wherever there are prl-
vate shooting ranges in the vicinity OF any
garrison endeavors are made to obtain the
use of the same. To those communities ana
associations for the voluntary use or arms
whose regulations have been recognized by
royal decree subsidy Is ACCORDED toward
the erection, maintenance and for the I'M
provement of the shooting ranges, under
the direction of the minister of war. TO OBJ
tain such subsidy the community or asSo-
citation must lay out or improve IT'S shoot-
ing ranges and bind itself to utilize the
same in the interest of the defense OF their
country. The amount of the subsidy is de-
termned by the minister of war.
In Charge of Military Men.
Rife practice is carried on under the SUI
perintendence of military men. The gov
eminent provides the rifles and ammuni-
ton The course of practice is the same as
that prescribed for army corps. The dis
tances at which the practice takes place
vary from 100 to 700 meters. Whenever
either because of the great distances at
which the shooting ranges are situated or
on account of any special circumstances,
as, for instance, bad weather, 1t may be
deemed best that the practice be made with
cartridges adapted to the short distances,
such a change is allowed. Every rifieman is
permitted to fire five cartridges each drill
day, with the provso that in case of a linn
tied number of participants in proportion to
the number of ranges and the time avail
able more cartridges may be used. provided
the number does not exceed fifteen.
The practice takes place every year be-
tween the list Of May and the LIST OF De-
cember, and on at least one afternoon each
week in those places where there are ten
riflemen to practice. The government di-
reefs that the number of ranges placed at
their disposal must be, as far as possible, in
accordance with the demand. and that par
tcipation shall be promoted as much as
possible, both by proper announcement and
by the regulation of the practice itself.
Prizes are Altered and In the year of 1902
the crown gave medal of an elaborate de-
scription to be awarded to such persons as
became eligible in accordance with the reg
ula lions of the minister of war, and the
granting was made by royal order. There
are other prizes badges for those dis
tinguished in communal, provincial and
national competitions of medals of silver,
silver gilt and gold. The communal compe-
titions are held annually, and the provincial
and national every three years.
First Lieut.. Benjamin F. Odell, adjutant
list Battalion, has indicated an intention of
rendering his resignation.
Lieut. j. D. Carmody has been trans
ferred from the I'd Division to the command
of the 1st Division Naval Battalion. Lieut.
Dempf will succeed to the command of the
I'd Division.
A large number of applications for service
medals are being received daily at head
quarters AS soon as it is definitely known
how many medals are required the order
for the same will be given and the decora-
lions awarded soon after they are received
from the maker.