The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1915-09-10

tanning a citizen soldiery without
hardships on anyone and without
any of the dangers of militarism,
and at the same time having the
most efficient military defense of
any country in the world lies in
one fact:
THE ARMY BELONGS TO
THE PEOPLE AND NOBODY
BELONGS TO THE ARMY.
The army is made to aid
and not interfere with the
ordinary duties of citizens.
And the Swiss do not per-
init a group of militarists to
order around the rest of the
citizens.
The Swiss have imposed their
military system upon themselves,
because Switzerland is a republic
in fact as we'll as name.
The military education of the
people begins in the public school
and is a part of the general edu-
cational system.
In Switzerland universal edu-
cation up to the age of 10 years
is compulsory, and all during this
period simple gymnastic exercises
are required of all pupils as a
preparation for military service.
There are also volunteer cadet
corps of boys from II to 16 years,
in which drills and some exercises
in the manual of arms are given.
Target practice is the real pur-
pose of these corps, for rifle
shooting is the national sport in
Switzerland.
A boy would as soon refrain
from target shooting in Switzer-
land, as boy in the United
States would abstain from play
ing ball.
The canton gives a money prize
of 5 francs ($1) to each member
whose shooting is reported upon
favorably by the instructor.
After 16 years of age and up
to 20 the Swiss boy may, if he
chooses, become a member of a
preparatory military organization,
operating on the same lines as a
cadet corps, except that the regu-
lar army musket is furnished.
These corps do none of the
tiresome and useless stunts re-
CURED of the usual military"
training.
They don't have drill halls, or
practice intricate movements,
with head up, chest out, feet at
an angle of As degrees" and ali
the usual precision of tiresome
drills Instead the emphasis Is
laid upon gymnastic and shoot
ing.
To be a member of this corps
means pleasant walks, climbs,
marches and afternoons devoted
to games of shooting.
At the age of 20 comes the call
to military duty.
This does not mean separation
from family, life In barracks,
three or four years of grinding
and uninteresting military drill.
To get into the Swiss army
means high degree of merit;
to be refused is a sign of unfit
ness-and no Swiss boy wants to
be declared unfit to defend his
country.
The young men are put through
a stiff medical examination, then
a literary examination, then ele-
mentary gymnastic tests, then a
running test { 80 yards, which
must be made in under IA Sec
onds.
Those falling below a certain
standard are exempted.
If totally disqualified they are
allowed not more than four years
to qualify II they can; II only
partially disqualified, they are in
corporated in the auxiliary force;
that is, the pioneers, hospital,
commissary, intelligence and
transport departments.
If totally disqualified, the man
must pay a military tax.
The examination over, the re-
cruit goes home. Next spring he
is called out for his first train
ing, given a uniform and rifle
(which he takes home and keeps
until the end of his military serv-
ice at the age of SO when they be-
come his property.
Tho racruifc diripg tbair f;rst