The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-01-16
USE OF ARMY RIFLE
EVERY CITIZEN SHOULD TAKE A
 FEW LESSONS.
Earl R0berts's Advice to England Ap- plicable as Welt to the United states-Bllls Introduced
 I'm Congress.

Washington, Jan. f6.-(Special.)- )- Field Marshall Earl Roberts has soun- ed timely warning in advocating mill itary training for the youth of Eng land." said an oificer of high rank in the United States aafmy today and his words are largely applicable to the United States. He does not believe in compulsory military service but insists that Great Britain should have a large reserve force, of partially trained men. He advocates that it Is the duty of the State to see that every able bod jed man in England, no matter to what grade of society he may belong, un- dergoes some kind of military training In youth sufficient to enable him to shoot straight and carry out simple or der if ever his services are required for national defense.'
 Military officers agree that in this country 1t is not necessary that every citizen should have military training because of the much larger population and the less liklihood of Inva4ion oi foreign wars in which land battles would play a conspicuous part, but 1t is extremely desirable that as many of the male citizens of the United States as possible should understand the workings of the regular army ri- file and be more or less familiar with its employment. .-.
 "To this end 1t is sought to make service in the militia as attractive as possible with a view of enllsting in that service young men in civil life and giving to them all the training both In rifle practice and in drilling. manuevering, camping, etc. for which they could spare time from their ordi- nary business pursuits. But there are AN-A called upon to serve the country in time of war who are prevented by va rious reasons. either of a personal or business character. from joining the militia and being subject to the reg uIations thereof, and 1t is considered very necessary for the future welfare of this country that these men snou-i at least be trained in rifle practice. This can be done by the formation of rifle clubs, which would give to the members a working knowledge of the government arm and train them to shoot at distance of from 200 to 1000 yards.
 "What Earl Roberts says about learning to shoot straight has been said by every English military author ity since the experience of the English troops in the B"er war when the in- ferior numbers of the Boers were able to hold so long In check the superior forces of the English because every man and boy in the Boer army knew his rifle and was proficient in it's use. Since then England has been making great efforts to Increase tho interest in rifle practice. William Waldorf Astor has contributed $5O,000 and otm- CT private citizens amounts in propor- ton. The King of England annually gives $5.00O, and tho National Rife Association of Great Britain is doing everything 1t can to enlist the fi- nancial support of wealthycltizens ana the active interest of available mater ial for soldiers, especially among tho youth and boys at the schooIs and colleges.
 The National Board for the Promo ton of Rifle Practice. whicn was d. rected by Congress to draw up plan to encourage rifle practice in this country under the supervision of the Secretary of War. has formulated such q plan and Senator Proctor and Rep Hull. the cnairmen Of the Senate and House committees on mih- tary fairs, have introduced a bill to enable the board to carry out the plan. 1t is the object of the fS tionaH board. supported by the War Department. to sstabIish suitable outdoor ranges at various places throughout the country for the use of the army. navy. militia and citizen rifle clubs and to construct indoor shooting galleries in arluorles and schools which wis be available for the use of such citizens as desire to 1uaufy and 1t is earnestly hoped that the bill now before Congress will be
 assed at this session"