Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-05
Causes Disappointment.

Causes Disappointment.
The officers of the national board for the
promotion of rifle practice. as well as those
of the National Rifle Association of Amer
lea, are greatly disappointed that the cadet
match went to the team from Princeton
University by default. They make no at
tempt to conceal their irritation because of
the failure of the Naval Academy to be
represented here. and not at all pleased
that the West Point cadets having been
at Sea Girt for the national trophy match.
should have left prior to the cadet match.
which was shot today. The West Pointers
excused themselves from staying and COM
petng with Princeton the ground that
their leave expired and they We're due at
West Point Monday. There is no doubt
that had team from Annapolis appeared
here the West Pointers would have expert
enced little difficulty in securing ex-
tension of leave 1t is regarded quite
probable that the authorities would have
permitted them to remain for the competi-
ton with Princeton. Consequently, their
action in returning to the academy without
participating in the competition especially
designed for teams such theirs was
disappointment and has left them open to
criticism although nothing like that heard
by reason of the failure of the middies to
come.
Princeton has a fairly large rifle club,
with an excellent range up to 800 yards.
A large number of the members of the
club take an active interest in the National
Guard and frequently practice on the Sea
Girt range.
cit is regrettable." a member of the
tional board remarked. that the same can
not be said of either Annapolis or West
Point for rifle practice seems to be sec
ondary consideration at those institutions.
The members of the national board realize
that athletic sports appeal more strongly
to the cadets, but are firm In their belief
that the interests of the country would be
best served if those who Differed It's ships
and troops should know more about the
handling of a rife than they do about
swinging a base ball bat. We think that
unless an officer thoroughly understands
the use of the military rifle and revolver
and is something of a shot himself he Is In
no position to properly instruct the men
under his command.
Cadet Teams Indifferent.
about three years ago the National Rife
Association of America was induced to con-
tribute a handsome cup. to be competed for
by the cadets and teams from universities
and colleges. Although there are about
forty such institutions In the United States
receiving liberal appropriations annually
from Congress, which are given solely on
condition that a certain amount OF mill
tary service be required from the students
in attendance, not one of them has as yet
sent team to represent 1t. The same Is
true of the great military and naval acad-
emies and 1t remained for Princeton,
university without military features, to win
the prize Monday, by default:
The officers of the national board frank
ly express regret at this situation. and 1T is
more than probable that the board will
appeal to Congress to cut off the appro-
priations now made to such colleges unless
there is included in the military course
provision for certain amount OF rlle prac-
tice."
Reference has heretofore been made in
these reports to the various brands OF
humor that find expression in antics more
or less peculiar about the camp. The ex-
uberant spirits of the rifiemen seek an out
let during recreation hours largely in the
playing of practical jokes. One such diver
sion came near costing First Lieut.. G.. G.
Dennison, who is serving as quartermaster
of the District of Columbia team, dire in
jury, and, as a matter of fact, the lives OF
an unlimited number of others throughout
the camp.
Lieut.. Dennison had stretched his weary
form on his cot to rest, a day or two ago,
when somebody conceived the idea of play
ing joke on him. Taking box filled with
waste paper. a lighted match was dropped
therein, and the box was quietly slipped
into Dennison's tent. The first attempt was
failure. as the rubbish did not burn. The
box was withdrawn and holes punched in 1t
to create a draft, the purpose being to
produce much smoke and little ire. The
combustibles were again lighted and showed
in the tent, the flaps of which were then
carefully fastened. The jokers withdrew to
a safe distance to watch the sport
Volume of Dense Gray Smoke.
Within a few minutes volume of dense
gray smoke belched forth through the VEN
tilator in the front Of the tent near the top.
The smoke poured out as though from the
smokestack of steamer under forced
draught. Becoming alarmed, the would-be
humorists ran to the tent and, pounding
Justify thereon, managed to arouse the lieu
tenant.
Emerging, covered with SCOT, Lieut.. Den
nison was inclined to accept the situation
in good spirit, but remarked that while he
did not care so much about the possibility
of danger to himself, If the tent had caught
fire the District would certainly have lost
several thousand rounds of ammunition,
stored in the tent. and that the explosion
a the cartridges would probably have
spread havoc through the camp When the
jokers realized the dangerous character of
their attempt at humor they admitted that
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