Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-01-21
BIG SHOOTING MEET.
Greatest international Gathering
at Washington Next Fall.
FINER PLANS THAN EVER.
Nineteen Countries invited to Send
Marksmen For the Match-Champion
Shot of the World Will Be Chosen
on One Thousand Yard Range.

MarkSmen r or the match-Champlon
Shot of the World Will Be Chosen
on Ons Thousand Yard Range.
ARRANGEMENTS are already being
made for the greatest gathering of in
ternational riflemen yet seen in the
United States, to take place next fall
I'm Washington. The state department
has been intrusted with formal invita-
tions from the National Rife associa-
ton, of which General James A. Drain
in president, to be forwarded to the
ambassadors and ministers from nine
teen countries interested in rifle shoot
ing, formally inviting those countries
to be represented by rifle teams at the
coming international meeting.
More elaborate plans are being made
for this series of matches than ever be
fore In addition to the Palma trophy
for the military long range champion
ship of the world, which was won in
1907 by the American team at Ottawa,
Canada, there will be an individual
competition at 1000 yards, n team
match ut 300 meters, an individual
competition at 800 meters and re-
volver team competition at 80 yards.
The conditions for the Palma team
trophy match provide for teams of
eight, using the national military arm
of their country. Two targets will be
allotted to each team, the distances be-
ing 500, 900 and 1000 yards. The tar
gets will be rectangular, II by feet,
with a thirty-six inch bullseye, an in
ner circle of fifty-four inches in di-
ameter, "magpie square" seventy
two inches and the remainder of the
target constituting the outer. The
value Of the count will be: Bullseye,
6; inner, 4; "magpie," 3; outer, 2.
There will be fifteen shots each man
at each distance, without artificial
rest with two sighting shots addition
al. Telescope and magnifying sights
are barred. There are also minor tech
meal conditions such as are prescribed
from year to year by the country hold
ing the trophy. Each member of the
winning team Will receive a medal.
and other prizes In this match will be
determined later.
The individual match at 1000 yards
should attract great attention, as
America by reason of its records and
its victories in the Olympic games and
elsewhere, claims the distinction OF
having the finest long range marks
men in the world. In this match any
rife with any sights, including tele-
scopic, and any ammunition, may be
used. thus throwing the match open
to the entire world. The distances,
targets, 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 interna.
tional championship cup. which will
become his property. Other prizes will
be arranged for In the program.
The international team match at 800
meters Will be for teams of six men,
using any rife 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 sixty centimeters di-
ameter, the entire target being divided
into ten concentric circles. counting
from one to ten points.
This will be an unusual match for
the United States because Of the style
OF target. the distance. the count and
the number OF shots Each competi-
tor will fire 120 shots, equally divided
among the standing. kneeing and
prone positions. They Will be fired In
strings of ten shots each without in
terruption. 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 az n 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 800 meter match for individuals
will be shot under conditions similar
TO those of the team match
The revolver team match VIII be
open TO teams of four men, using any
revolver or pistol with open sights, dis
tance fifty yards. Two sighters and
hAty bhoC5 Nhi pc dllo"tu, u vi
Ave shots each, a fresh target being
provided for each series. The center
OF the shot hole and not its edge viii
determine the value OF the shot.
Each competing nation will designate
one delegate to a committee whose
duty It will be to settle definitely and
without appeal any question which
may arise not covered by the rules of
the match. The members OF this COM
mittee will be nominated by the team
captains, and the committee will elect
Its own chairman, who shalt have
casting vote in addition TO his vote as
member.
The invitations will be forwa rded by
the state department to the diplomatic
representatives of the different coun-
tries in Washington. to their military
attaches here, and through the Amer
lean ambassadors and ministers abroad.
The nineteen countries and colonies IN
vited are: England, Canada, Australia,
France, Switzerland, the Netherlands.
Norway, Denmark, Sweden italy, Ger
many. Austria, Greece, Mexico. Argen-
tine Republic. Brazil. Spain, Belgium
and Japan. Some of these also will re-
ceive invitations from the National
Rife Association Of America direct
through their national rife associa-