The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-08-06
American Soldiers Win Con-
test and Show Superiority
With New Rifles
OFFICERS HARD AT WORK
ON NEW TACTICS
Pershings Visit Has Raised
Mettle of Command-Box-
!, ing Bouts. Games and Field
Meet on Sunday
by DANIEL DILLON.

American Training Camp in France,
Aug. 5.--CDeIayed.--The "Sammies"
ron a good-natured victory over their
french comrades today, the poilus ex-
perieneing no regret over their de-
Eeat. but being rather elated over the
pnictency OF their new allies. The
Contest was OF two parts. throwing
hand grenades and. firing automa tic
fines- The Americans captured the
honors In both competitions.
The American and French sides
were represented b. picked teams
From the American and French camps
Ind the matches were held in the
afternoon.
The victory Of the "Ssmmies' In
the grenade throwing competition
ras ascribed TO their baseball train
ing back In the states. IT was no
fsced that the Americans threw the
hand weapons tn. same as they would
baseball and this made them easily
sapefior at distance. II must BE
said for the French. however. that
fhey showed slh did accuracy and the
difference betw o. the teams was
Is,igh.
| In the craftsmanship contest with
IRE automatic rifles there also MAS
little TO choose between the rival Az
The victory. however.
was keenly pleasing to the American
Officers as the ''Samries" are not
|naariy as well acquainted with this
|type of gun as are the Frenchmen
fThis newly won efficiency on the part
RI the Americans also evoked warm
eraise from the French.
'Eeasy rains continue TO retard the
kscgress of training maneuvers. par
|tisuiA' Nv the cooperative trench work
with - french MILDLY roads. slip
kerry terrain. damp houses with RAIN
dripping down upon the nesses are
Swing Sammy" his FRS, unpleasant
|4x rerience In France,
n Che American officers are putting
III their tins hHrd ar wofh STUDYING
|tle tactical war books General Fer
ieling's visit has raised the mettle a:
|tae command, Reprinands are now
being taken to heart and the discip-
|ths Is being frightened This Is being
Iesne more along British lines than
Trench. but II Ia believed. however.
|tAat the French army is tho best pat
|tewn to be followed by the Americans.
The spirit that prevails in the
Trench organization has not escaped
1.-THE notice. or the American oHicerss
lone of whom remarked today on the
cordial relations which exist between
The French ranks and the French Of
beers. II In believed that officers Will
be made to impress a kindred spirit
Into the American organizations.
The preparations for housing addi-
kional soldiers continue without let
I'm and the entire country roundabout
has been b!lleted. All the new men
|wfil have to do IL TO arrive and find
comfortably welcomed.
Tomorrow Sunday the Americans
look for considerable amusement and
interest in competition with large
humber OF Poilus. A series OF boxing
Ind xames and field meet are sched-
nled and members of the Y. NJ. c. A.
1n1 be on hand actively to direct the
sportx programme
The spiritual side of the Sammy"
!. 70 be well cared for too. The
Ihaplains of the various units are to
= organized for more advantageous
1rransement OF their work and they
wil1 travel to the various points of the
kamp holding services.