Mower County transcript., 1908-09-02
SWISS RIFLE CLUBS.
Method In Vogue In Little Republic
Which Makes Every One Soldier.

At a time when the question OF
military training for civilians is being
much discussed, a short account OF
Guardian, may be of interest. Every
man in the peaceful and democratic
country of Switzerland is a soldier in
modest way, beftting small nation.
The able-bodied Swiss enters the
army at 20 years of age, and serves IS
years he trains for three weeks every
alternate year. At 80 he enters the
Landwehr, and has eight to ten days
under arms every fourth year until, at
so, he retires, and is required to fur
nish no further service except in case
of war.
What the Swiss militiaman lacks in
military orthodoxy he far more than
makes up by skill with the rifle. 1t is
not too much to call the Swiss ma
ton of marksmen. The training periods
are occupied only with drill and tao
tics; the a1l-important matter of shoot
ing is left to the Individual soldier to
carry out at other times, and he does
it under the auspices Of the shooting
societies which are such q feature of
Swiss life.
These societies, under government
control, are called Schutzengesellschaf
ten in the German, and Societies de Tir
in the French cartons. They are vod-
untary associations, varying In size
and Importance with the town or VII.
lage they serve Those in the larger
towns possess completely fitted ranges
and clubhouses; the small villages do
their shooting in any field backed by a
suitable hill. Every peasant and towns
man has; easy facilities for shooting,
and each man has His service rifle, al!
ways in his possession.
Every man between the ages OF 20
and 32 must fire 81 shots in four COM
pulsory exercises every year, and the
societies receive a grant Of two francs
for every soldier shooting this course
on their. ranges. The income derived
from the grants generally suffces for
the current expenses of the society,
supply VI 6SCo C11O poy VI AuoA hC1.
There is no entrance fee nor subscrip.
Iion as rule, and heavy expenditure,
such as that incurred by the construc-
tion of new ranges, is met by special
grant from the government
Rules as to spectators, methods of
loading and conduct on the ranges are
stringent: Loss of grant is incurred
by any breach or neglect of ;regnla:
tions. aA
In addition to these exercises, many
competitions, are held between diff
ferent villages, towns and cantons. In
summer the trains and streams; are
crowded with jovial bands Of marks
men going to and from their shooting
festivals. The whole system: of Swiss
shooting is good example of co-opera
ton between government and indi
vidual. Every Switzer has his army
life; he can use it when and where
ne will, provided he does not endangel
| other lives; he is insured by govern
| ment against all accidents on tn,
ranges, and through his society he Cal
secure the services of qualified mill
3tary officers to organize and contro
his shooting.
By treating rifle-shooting as a sport
and it is as popular as football il
with us, and far more generally prac
ticed, the Swiss have removed it iron
it's usual warlike associations; bu
should occasion arise. that which ha
been learned in sport would be use
in earnest.