Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-12
GEN, DRAIN PRAISES
HIS CRACK R|fLEMEN
Captajn of the American Team
Warmly Congratulated on
Its Victory at BisIey.

BlSIEY, EnSldno' July IL iA0 eAS-
international team match, the most I'M
portant event of the Olympic rifle con-
tests. was won today by America. The
American marksmen thus become the
champions Of the world. The Americans
aeereeate score was 2,531. that Of the
British team, 2,496, while the Canadian
team scored 2.439.
When the last bullet had sped to its
target Lord Cheylesmore rushed forward
to Gen. Drain and warmly congratulated
the captain of the American team. The
crown prince of Sweden came up while
the general was still proudly pointing out
the members of his team who had made
particularly brilliant records, and it was
then that he congratulated the general.
For a quarter of an hour the general help
a reception on the range: everybody want
ed to congratulate the visitors from over
the sea who had led the way from start
to finish The American marksmen were
individually surrounded by little groups
of Englishmen and foreigners. including
many British army officers. who examined
the new Springfield rifle with the greatest
interest
Gen. Drain Praises His Men.
Gen. Drain, In an interview, said he
was not at all surprised at the curiosity
of the British marksmen.
II have the greatest faith in our new
Springfield rife and the ammunition we
use." he said. land I certainly think our
rifles and our powder gave us an adj
vantage over our rivals. but If you ask
what I consider was chiefly responsible
for our grand victory. I say 1t was good
men, team work and rifles and ammuni-
kt~,a hA W.
in consequence Of the lack Of skill Of the
continental shooters at the long ranges.
that the real contest would be between
the Canadians. the Englishmen and our
selves. We felt that If We could only
hold our own on the shorter ranges we
could lick everybody at the long dis
tances.
II cannot say too much of the sports
manlike attitude of the competing teams
All, Of course, were anxious to win, but
all were DESTROYS that every other team
should be given an equal opportunity.
Difficult Weather Conditions.
II consider the English combination to
be one Of the strongest teams ever known
The weather conditions were extremely
difficult, and I am absolutely confident
that the English and American teams, in
normal weather. would have shattered
every worlds record made by service
rifles over the distances shot. The ar
rangements for the competitions gave us
great satisfaction. We were afforded ev-
cry facility for practice and everything
was done to make US comfortable. Ac-
cording to shooting etiquette the honor Of
the highest individual score goes to W. F.
Lueshner Of New York. who scored a
greater number of points up to the long
est distance than Maj. w. B. Martin Of
New Jersey who tied him on the 1000
yard range"
The Revolver Competition.
In the team revolver competition, which
occupied most of the day. the Americans
scored another fine victory. They de-
feated the teams, composed of four men
each. Of the United Kingdom, Sweden.
France. Belgium. Holland and Greece.
The American revolver team was COM
posed of German, Axtell. Calkins and
Dietz. With a grand individual aggre-
gate Of sol, German had the satisfaction
Of beating the Belgian, Van Aebrock. Van
Aebrock was the winner in yesterdays
individual competition. but today he was
able to pile up only 498. The individual
scores of the other American revolver
Axtell. 46S. The aggregate team scores
were: America, 1914; Belgium. 1865 and
England. 1876.
DR.. R. H. Sayre. captain of the Ameri-
can revolver team. declared that the team
was delighted with its successes today.
but he expressed disappointment at the
decision Of the Judges with regard to Cor
mans double shot individual match.
1.-THE weather conditions" said DR..
Sayre. were bad. and I should say that
the shooting was only up to our average
practice shooting. Germans victory over
Van Aebrock today was a source of great
satisfaction to US. however.
1.-THE continentals certainly had the ad-
vantage over us. Most Of them used
longer barrels than are permitted in the
United States and also hair-triggers. We
have to pull at least two pounds in ex-
cess of them. The continental weapons
are very superior for such a match as
was shot today. but the better marksman-
ship Of our team counteracted every
thing
DR.. Sayre expressed qualification at the
reception accorded the American team,
several members of which now propose
to take part in the matches at the regu-
lar Bisley meeting.