Arizona republican., 1908-11-08
ALL NATIONS INVITED
 TO 4 SHOOTING MATCH
An international Gathering of Rifle men Proposed.

correspondence of The Republican,
 Next September will witness in B greatest gathering of internationa & rflemen ever seen in this country H The state department has been en E trusted with formal invitations iron q the National Rifle association. 4s d which General James F. DraAm- 3 president, to be forwarded to heteen k bassadors and ministers frophooting. 8 countries interested in ritdntries to H formally inviting thoseams at the H be represented by riff tournament. q coming internatio are being made t More elaborate pmatches than ever .a for this series. on to the Palm match q before. In ad long range champion S Tor the milWorld. which was won in g shlp or ie American team at Ottawa. q lSV' h' there will be an individual s IaYetitiOn at 1000 yards; a team k Gtch at 300 meters; an individual F Competition at 300 meters and a revOl- | yer team competition at fifty yards. l The conditions for the Palma TrO- 1 phy match provide for teams of eight, ! using the national military arm of I their country. Two targets will be ] allotted to each team. the distances being 800. 900 and 1000 .ards. The 1 targets will be rectangular 12X6 feet, l with 26-inch bulls eye, an inner Il circle 54 inches in diameter. "Magpie square" 72 inches and the remainder
 of the target constituting the outer. The value of the count will be: Bulls . eye D, inner 1. "Magpie" 3. cutters ?. There will be fifteen shots per man l at each distance, without artificial . rest, with two sighting shots addi-
 tional. Telescopic and magnifying
 sights are barred. There are also
 minor technical conditions such as
 are prescribed from year to year by
 the country holding-the trophy. Each
 member of the winning team will re-
 ceive medal and other prizes in this
 match will be determined later. The
 individual match at 1000 yards will
 attract great attention, az America
 by reason of its records. and it's vic
 tories in the Olympic games and else
 where. claims the distinction of hay
 ing the finest longrange marksmen
 in the world. In this match any rifle,
 with any sights. including telescopic,
 and any ammunition may be used.
 thus throwing the match open to the
 
 count and dimensions, are the same as
 in the Palma match. The winner of
 this match will be hailed as the long
 range champion of the world and will
 be given an International champion
 ship cup which will become his prop
 erty. Other prizes will be arranged
 for in the program.
 The international team match at 300 ] Ao C.,
 using any rifle with open fore sights
 and any kind of back-sights. with any
 ammunition. The target will be white.
 one meter in diameter. with a black , center of 60 centimeters diameter. the entire target being divided into ten cOncentric circles counting from 1 to 10 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 com petitor will fire 12O shots, equally di- vided among the standing, kneeling and prone positions They will be fired in strings of ten shots each with out interruption and ten sighting shots will be allowed in each position. An other 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 off cial count will take place under the direction of the committee of umpires immediately after the shooting is | finished.
 The 3O0-meter match for individuals will be shot under conditions similar to those of the team match.
 Each competing nation will desig nate one delegate to a committee whose duty it will be to settle defi- nitely and without recourse any ques- tion 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 com mittee will elect it's own chairman. who shall have a casting vote in ad- dition to his vote as a member. Wis iting teams will be furnished with tents. cots. mattresses blankets and camp equippage, free, together with free use of targets for four days pre- ceding the match. In concluding his letter to the ambassadors. General Drain says: Suggestions from those interested as to the events and their scope will be welcome. It is desired that this shall be truly international shooting test. and for that reason as near a common basis of rules is de- sired as it is possible to formulate. In view of the necessity for extensive I preparations for these contests it Is ! requested that an answer be returned at the earliest possible date in which shall be set forth the decision of your l country in regard to the sending of a competitor or competitors to take part in the proposed contests
 The Invitations will be forwarded by the state department to the diplo matic representatives of the different countries in Washington, to their the American ambassadors and min isters abroad. The nineteen countries and colonies invited are: England. Canada, Australia, France. Switzer- land. The Netherlands, Norway, Den mark, Sweden, Italy. Germany. Aus tria Greece, Mexico, Argentine Repub- lie. Brazil. Spain. Belgium and Japan. 3 Some of these will also receive invita- tions from the National Rifle asso- ciation of America direct through their I National Rifle associations, such as a England, Canada. Australia, France