The Washington herald., 1907-10-06
SWISS ARMY 4 MODEL
Annual ManeuVerS Disclose
It's Efficiency.
LITTLE NATION ALWAYS READY
Military Training Begins at an Early
Age-MaFveIOus Dexterity shown
Among the Alps wins Admiration
of European Experts, Who Have
Witnessed It's Fents.

Geneva, Oct 5.-The Swiss army ma
neuvers. which have just Concluded, es-
tablish the fact that the Swiss soldier
is probably the best in Europe. and hts
work upon the sloping icecIad peaks Il
his native Alps has been simply marvel
GUS
The difficulties which beset Napoleon
in crossing these mountains in $500 are
only trifes to the Swiss soldier. The
ease with which whole regiments gli5e
down the snow slopes is astonishing.
In doing this the rife is placed on tie
top Of the knapsack. behind the head.
leaving the mans arms entirely free %
manipulate the alpenstock. which is a
necessary part Of each soldiers equip
ment. The ski is also used IN the army
maneuvers, and the way the soldiers
glide along on ii is surprising,
One OF the movements recruits practice
on the barrack square is To lean on their
left arms on the ground while their rig I
arms are employed raising and lowering
the big weights.
Each man is heavily burdened with
rife. bayonet go OF 800 rounds Of ball
cartridge. several days rations. a steel
pointed alpenstocl, some silken or hemp
ropes, snOWshOes or ski. blankets. ard
other items. which in themselves make
up a serious load, 70 be carried up gre {
mountains by paths which. 10 the uninl-
tiated, look only fit for goats. The SOL
diers become wonderfully nimble. TIE
Swiss army has repeatedly in IT'S history
hurled back the trained legiOnaTies II
I Europe. and to-day fronts the world IN
its Alpine Businesses, calm and peaceful.
| II is decidedly more modern in spirit
and organization than any other army in
Europe, and just now a mixed commit
tee Of both houses 81 the British -Parlis-
ment Is investigating the system, with
! the object Of having It copied by Great
Britain.
Always Under Arms.
Switzerland may be regarded as a na-
| ton under arms, although its object s
defense, not defiance. A new army act
has just come into being. but is only
slight modification Of the old act
According to it. every able-bodied man
must serve in the Auszug from the ages
Of twenty to thirty-two. and there is no
means Of escaping this, for the lottery
system Of selection is not in use
From thiuy-three 10 forty the soldier
becomes one OF the landwehr che dr-t
| reserveJ; from forty up TO forty-eight Le
I belongs 10 the landsUUTm Tor second re-
/ seTvel.
Even then he may be called upon 4
! his country needs MIN. and he may also
/ have 10 join the fighting forces before
/ ne has reached the age OF twenty If ne
/ cessity arises.
( All the men forming the Auszug are
/ called upon about d f0rtnight's special
/ service each year, and are thus kept in
/ constant training
4 On joining the army for the first time
la man is placed in the recruiting school.
/ where he learns his drill The period Z
early training extends. about two months
/ for infantry, three months for cavalry,
and between two and three months for
artillery and for pioneers.
To the forces thus obtained may -
/ added those comparatively few men who.
/ being exempt for one reason or another,
still wish 10 serve, and are known IS
/ the volunteers.
/ Every Swiss must serve, but II he IS
unit or is unable TO serve for some other
: approved cause, he must pay a yearly
militia tax, which ceases when ne IS
+ forty-four. The officers are, OF course,
I permanent; otherwise. in the strict sense
+ of the word, Switzerland has no standing
=