Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-11-21
A unique SHOOT.
international Rif|emen Plan
Small Arm Match.
Events Will be Held Same Day
in Different Countries.
marksmen From United States,
England and Australia to Compete.


Washington, d. c.. Nov 2O.-An in
tornational rifle match of unusual in
| torest will be shot this winter under
| the auspices of the Society of Miniature
Fife Clubs of Great Britain and tic
National country viii be represented
by 80 men, who will shoot 10 shots each
! at 25 wards with miniature rifle.
The Americans are expected to use
the .22-caliber, as under the terms of
the challenge the caliber of the rifles is
limited to %, which is comparatively
unknown i'll this country. The ten
shots are to be fired at what is known
a. double decimal target. which is
r. ally two targets joined together, each
With an inch-sighting bull and an in
Nor half-inch bull counting ten. Ten
concerto circles One-quar,er OF an
il III apart divide the count from one to
ton. Five shots are to be fired at each
target. the ten shots constituting the
string allowed each competitor.
One hundred targets will be sent to
tie National Rifle Association by the
Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs, bear
ing the signature of the latter. The
Endorsement of the American Assoca-
| ton will be added and 80 of the tar
gets returned TO Great Britain. After
| the shooting the two sets of targets will
| b" collected and exchanged to verify
| the scores. which will be sent by cable
| 1t is possible that this unique match
viii be three cOrnered affair, and
| that Australia will be drawn into it.
The British society has provided a
handsome trophy to be held for one
year by the winning country, and each
| participant will receive a commemora-
| i've medal. Considerable preparation
| viii be necessary for the match, which
will likely not take place until mid
| winter.
The National Rife Association short
l. will begin selecting the 50 shots tc
represent this country, and as it is de-
tilat all the rifle clubs affiliated with
tee association will be invited to com.
pete for the honor OF supplying mem
| bDrs OF the team.
| After the 'tryouts" team will be Sc
n-en chosen will shoot their strings on
the range belonging to their own clubs
| IF possible the dates will be arranged
! So that the shooting will be done in bot
| countries, or all three if Australia
| comes in. on the same date, though
T. .ces a.ily there will be some differ.
cnce actual time.
r challenge provides that any rife
not 2Xceeding .23-caIibre may not be
u@en. with any sights not employing
rs as any ammunition and that any
post II may be assumed. The Amcri
cant i'll probably request that the lat
ter Pr vision be changed and that the
| positi IL be restricted to off-hand. II
| is bell we'd the challengers will agree to
! this.
While .22-caliber rifle practice. both
| in and out of doors, is growing in ia
| vnr il this country with great rapidity,
the sport has not yet the popularity OF
| the su. port Z. receives in England
Some .. the reatest men and women
of the Latter c, untry give 1t their hear
| ty encoUragem mt and patronage. Fo,
| cXampl the s. ciety of Miniature Rifle
| Clubs j under the patronage of the
| Duke Connaught. while the two
| trustees re the Duke of Norfolk tthc
premier Duke of EnglanO. and the
| luke Westminster the WealtheSt
| Trer of at country.
| Associ ed with them in the manage
| rent OF he society are such diStin-
| gtlished rsonage as the Warehouses
al I.ondC Jerry, the Earl of Albemarle,
| Liscount 'olville, Lieut.. Gen. Sir Ian
Hamilton Maj. Gen. Sir Alfred Turner.
| lieut. &c w w. BrscOe Lieut. Gen.
| f. Lance Maj. Gen. Sir Il. E. Love,
Mai Gen V. H. Mckinnon, Maj. Gen.
\. G.. Cod ngtoon, and many others.
The pre-. lent of the organization is
| the great Id marshal, Earl Roberts,
who has l. IN so active in promoting
| the cause o. miniature rifle practice as
well as mill airy and civilian rifle prac-
tice in general throughout the British
onpire
The only organization in this country
VI hch approaches the support given
the English society is the National Ri
| lie Association, which includes among
it's life members President Roosevelt
Secretary of State Root. President-elect
Taft, and number of senators. repre-
senativas. and governors, as well as the
leading men in the regular military SER
vice and in the national guard.