Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-08
R1LADELPH1A IhquIREk

invitations from the National Rifle Assoc-
alton. of which Gen. James A. Drain is
president. to be forwarded to the ambas-
sadors and ministers from nineteen coun-
| tries interested in rifle shooting formally
asking them to be represented by rife
Teams at the coming international tour
nament
More elaborate plans are being made
Tor TINS series of matches than ever be-
fore. In addition to the Palma match for
the military long-range championship of
the world, which was won in 1907 by the
American team at Ottawa, Canada there
Will be an individual competition at LOCO
yards, team match at 300 meters, an in
divdual competition at 800 meters and q
revolver team competition at 30 yards
The individual match at 1000 yards is
expected to attract great attention. as
America, by reason of its records and it's
victories in the Olympic games and else
where. claims the distinction of having
the finest long-range marksmen in the
world. The winner will be hailed as the
| long-range champion of the world and
will be given an International champion
ship cup which will become his property.
Other prizes will be arranged for in the
program.
| X
| The International team match at 800
meters will be for teams of six men. US
| ing any rifle with open fore-sights and
! any kind of back-sights, with any am
munition. The target will be white, one
meter in diameter. with a black center
! of sixty centimeters diameter, the entire
| target being divided into ten concentric
circles counting from one to ten points.
| This will be an unusual match for this
country, because of the style of target,
| the distance. the count and the number
of shots. Each competitor will fire 40
| shots. equally divided among the stand
| ing. kneeling and prone positions. They
will be fired in strings of ten shots each
without interruption, and ten sighting
shots will be allowed in each position.
Another rule of interest in this match
is that after ten shots the target will be
taken down and preserved as a proof In
case of discussion. The official count will
take place under the direction of the
committee of umpires Immediately after
the shooting is finished. The 30O-meter
match for individuals will be shot under
conditions similar to those of the team
match.
The revolver team match will be open
| to teams of four men, using any revolver
or pistol with open sights; distance, fifty
yards. Two sighters and fifty shots will
be allowed, in series of five shots each.
fresh target being provided for each
series. The center of the shot-hole and
not its edge will determine the value of
the shot.
Each competing nation will designate
one delegate to committee whose duty
it will be to settle definitely and with
| out recourse any question which may
arise not covered by the rules of the
match. The members of this committee
will be nominated by the team captains,
and the committee will elect it's own
chairman. who shall have a casting vote
in addition to his vote as member.
Visiting teams will be furnished with
tents, cots mattresses, blankets and
camp equipage. free, together with free
use of targets for four days preceding
the match.
In concluding his letter to the ambassa-
doris Gen. Drain says: Suggestions
from those interested as to the events
and their scope will be welcome. 1t
is desired that this shall be a truly in
ternatiOnal shooting test, and for that
reason as near a common basis of rules
is desired as it is possible to formulate.
In view of the necessity for extensive
preparations for these contests it is re-
quested that an answer be returned at
the earliest possible date in which shall
be set set forth the decision of your
country in regard to the sending OF a
competitor competitors to take part
in the proposed contests"
<
The invitations will be forwarded by
the State Department to the diplomatic
representatives of the different countries
in Washington, to their military attaches
here. and through the American ambas-
sadors and ministers abroad The nine
teen countries and colonies invited are
England, Canada, Australia. France, Swift
zerland. the Netherlands. Norway. Dem
mark. Sweden, Italy. Germany. Austria.