Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-06-19
SWISS ARMY IS
MOST EFFICIENT
IN ALL EUROPE
Little Nation Of -Four Million
Population Makes Remark
able Showing in Compar-
iSon With Other Countries,


Berne. switzerland, June THE
Swiss army, in the opinion OF the
Swiss federal council is the most ef-
fioient most economically managed.
and most democratic, In Europe.
Its efficiency is evidenced hy the
fact that at the beginning Of the Eu-
ropean war; this little nation OF less
than four million inhabitants, had
completed the mobilization OF her
army before either Germany or
France. In the first week Of war
she was able Go post on her frontiers
over 100000 trained soldiers, larger
force than Great Britain was able to
| throw into Belgium after many weeks
OF arduous labor
The comparative cheapness Of
maintenance OF the Swiss army is
shown In the budget returns. The
army costs annually IN peace time
SEQ per head of population GER
many's peace expenditure for the
same purpose In S4.f5 per head.
service Democratic.
The Swiss army Is In the strictest
sense n democratic service. Every
Mould-be officer starts aa private
with the ordinary recruits course, and
promotion TO the commissioned and
non-commissioned ranks Is by merit
and not By seniority. except that It Is
conditioned on four years service In
each rank. There are no generals In
the army except In time of war, the
highest peacertinte rank being that of
colonel The general appointed at the
beginning OF the present mobilization
is the first which Switzerland has had
since 1870, when the republic asserted
its neutrality by disarming and intern
ing the army of the French General
Bourbaki, which was forced over the
frontier.
Switzerland has had universal mill
tary service-along with such mod
ern IDEAS MS the referendum and ini-
tiative. Every male Swiss citizen is a
potential soldier, and those who for
reasons OF health or otherwise are eX-
cused from the usual course Of milf
tary training must pay a special tax
ana must also be enrolled In the sup
service army
Three Classes of Soldiers.
The striking force Of the army con-
sists OF about 100000 men. divided
into three classcs--the elite. men OF
20 to 32 years: the landwehr, 80 TO 40
years, and the landstmm. 40 10 As.
The supplementary services number
100000, making a total fighting force
of half a million men, or one-eighth
OF the entire population.
The military training begins with
the gymnastie drill and rifle practice
In the public schools. Between the
ages Of 20 aud 80 the youne man gets
"A regular yearly period of training.
ten TO twelve weeks the first year, aud
about a fortnight for the seven follow
ing years. when he passes into the
landwehr This division is called out
for eleven days training every four
years. The landsturm is only called
in time Of war
No Fashionable Regiments.
Rich and poor serve side by side
IN the ranks There are no "fashionn-
BILE regiments" Officers are given
training in the schools
al Tnun or Basel. but there are no
war colleges like West Point
Every soldier when he is out Of train
ing keeps his rifle and equipment In
his own house. and he Is encouraged 1
10 keep his craftsmanship up to re- /
luiremcnts by constant practice. Ri !
lie shooting. in fact, Is the great ma /
lonal pastime, and visitors TO Switzer- /
land always note the sound of gun /
lire on Sundays, holidays and saints |
lays
No one Is paid for his services IN 4
)cace-time as a soldier OF the Off I
'ers, only The few who are on the gem
,ral staff receive remuneration and /
heir pay Is small In time of war,
he commander IN -chief Is by law en-
tiled to $40 q day, while the private I
'eceives about fifteen cents.
There are six divisions or army
'orps in the army. The first and sec
md divisions consist of French-spcak
ng citizens; the third. fourth and 4
18TH are from speaking sec
ions; the sixth Is Italian Az the be-
Iinning of the war ali six divisions
we're modified; at present only the
eeond, fourth and sixth are under
rms.