The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-19
GOOD RIFLEMEN IN THE NETHERLANDS Much Encouragement Given
 Formation of Clubs MUST SHOOT EVERY DAY Military Men superintend the Practice and the Government Furnishes
 All the Arms and Am
 munition.
MUST SHOOT EVERY DAY

Washington, December 1S-(Speeial.)- An interesting statement has been receiv-
 ed by the national board for the pro-
 motion of rifle practice concerning rifle
 practice in the Netherlands. Considerable
 interest is being taken in this subject by
 the government of the Netherlands and
 much encouragement is given to the for
 nation of rifle clubs and to the practice
 with the military weapon of that coun-
 try. The government takes the ground
 that the object of such rifle practice
 Is to awaken an interest in the subject;
 to promote skill in the handling of the
 rifle among soldiers on furlough and fne ] reserve; for the training of serviceable riflemen from persons outside the mili- tary service. and to enable good riflemen
 to keep themselves in form. In every
 garrison opportunity is afforded for prac-
 tiee and in all communities in which there
 are seryiceable and available shooting
 ranges and wherever there are private
 shooting ranges in the vicinity of any
 garrison, endeavors are made to obtain the use of the same. To those communi-
 ties and associations for the voluntary
 use of arms. whose regulations have been recognized by royal decree, subsidy is accorded toward the erection, mainten- ance and for the improvement of the shooting ranges, under the direction of the minister of war. To obtain such subsidy the community or association must lay out or improve it's shooting ranges and bind themselves to utilize the same in the interest of the defense of their country The amount of the subsidy is determined by the mir5ster of war
 Rifle practice is carried on under the superintendence of military men. The government provides the rifles and am intuition. The course of practice is the same as that prescribed for the army corps. The distances at which the prac- tice takes place vary from one hundred to seven hundred metres. Whenever, either because of the great distance at which the shooting ranges are situater or on account of any special circum- stances as, for instance, bad weather, il may be deemed best that the practice be made with cartridges adapted to the shoEt distances such a change is allow ed Every riheman is permitted to fire five cartridges each drillday. with this proviso, that in the case of a limited number of participants in proportion to the number of ranges and the time avail able, more cartridges may be used pro- vided the number does not exceed fifteen.
 The practice takes place every year between the 1st of May and the 1st of December and on at least one after noon each week in those places where there are ten rihemen to practice. The government directs that the number of ranges placed at their disposal must be, as far as possible, in accordance with the demand and that participation shall be prompted as much as possible, both by proper announcement and by the reg ulation of the practice itself. Prizes are offered, and in the year 1902 the Crown gave a medal of an elaborate descrip- tion to be awarded to such persons as became eligible in accordance with the regulations of the minister of war. and the granting was made by royal order. There are other prizes or badges for those distinguished in communal. pro- vncial, and national competitions, of medals of silver, silver gilt, and gold. The communal competitions are held an- nualy, and the provincial and national every three years.