The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-10-04

Down an IncIine--Diff1cuIt and Peril
 Ous Alpine WOrk-FOrding Streams
 and Building NailIesa POntOOn Bridg-
 While all the European countries whose boundaries extend to the ''backbone" of Europe have divisions of their armies composed of troops train ed especially for manoeuvres among the mountains the Swiss soldier pro- bably excels all others as an Alpinist; nor is this strange, says the Scientific American, when 1t is remembered that practically all of this little republic is situated in the heart of the Alps, and much of it Is above the cloud line.
 In a country where the highway may lead over summits 10000 feet above sea level, where glaciers may be more easily crossed than the ordi- nary road special instruction in mountaineering is absolutely necessary as branch of military tactics. Hence the Swiss soldier is as familiar with the alpenstock as he is with his rife and moves about on skis as quickly and skillfully as the Swede or Nor Wegian.
 While numerically the Swiss army is relatively large, consisting of over 15O000 men. including all branches of the service, It's mobility as a fighting unit is really remarkable. Some of the feats which are performed by the var tous commands are notable because they would be impossible for soldiers in other portions of Europe,
 During winter as well as summer the Swiss soldier frequently journeys from post to post over the snow filled passes among the higher Alps, as already stated, often crossing glaciers and snow fields of great extent. In descending 8 mountain glassading with the aid of skis is common. Tourists in Switzer- land sometimes witness the novel sight of an entire battalion sliding down an incline at great speed, yet without a man losing his balance. At the end of the glassade each soldier immediately takes his place in the ranks, ready for the march
 So much has been written and said of the prowess of the tourist guides in Switzerland that the ability of the solder in climbing difficult peaks Is comparatively little known. In execut- ing certain orders the men are some times required to climb mountain slopes where the ice axe and the rope are absolutely necessary, but in addition to these appliances they must carry their rifles, possibly haversacks as well, thus making the ascent even more difficult and perilous.
 As may be imagined engineering work from a military standpoint forms most important part of AL phine tactics. One work of the en- eineer is the construction of pontoon bridges of suitable size and strength to permit the passage not only of foot soldiers but of cavalry if necessary and even of field artillery. When 1t is remembered that the mountain streams of this country are notable for their
 
 fall in the volume of water 1t will be recognized that the task of the en- gineer is far more arduous and hazard ous than in the lowlands, where the streams to be crossed have compara- lively little velocity.
 Bridge building. however, is 8 part of the manoeuvres frequently carried out. The pontoons, mere datboats are arranged obviously according to the strength of the current and the depth of the water. At times it is necessary to place them but a few feet apart, but If the current is not too strong they are anchored at distances ranging from ten to fifteen feet of each other, the bows, of course, pointing upstream, se- curely anchored by heavy weights. As fast as the pontoons are secured longi- tudinal timbers are laid across them. These "balks" are secured in place by rope lashings made fast to cleats in the pontoons, sometimes by means of bolts or pins which can be quickly ad- justed.
 The beams average about five inches an thickness and are made of seasoned timber, so that they are not affected by dampness or the weather. Upon them is placed the flooring of the bridge, consisting of blanks ranging from one inch to one and one-half inches in thickness and measuring about foot in width.
 It is a fact that no nails whatever are used in fastening the planking to the beams, the fastening being done by rope flashing, so that the superstruc- ture of the bridge can be taken apart immediately after the troops have crossed. Side rails laid along each end of the flooring and lashed directly to the pontoons, act as a reinforcement to the strength of the structure.
 Such a bridge will support a weight of at least 100 pounds to every square foot. The width depends upon the size of the stream and the number of men, but usually the Swiss bridges do not exceed ten feet in width, permitting the passage of infantry in columns of fours, as well as batteries and field pieces drawn by horses.
 The pontoons are also utilized inde- pendently of bridge work for crossing the mountain streams, especially in moving artillery The gun is detached from the carriage, and the equipment loaded aboard the boat A squad of artillerynen then man it. and the