The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1915-07-14
EVERY CITIZEN
MADE A SOLDIER
Uncle Sam Investigating
Swiss Army.
WHICH HAS UNIQUE RECORD
Every Man Knows How To
Fight-Can Mobilize
Very Quickly.
AMERICAN SOLDIERS BIG COST
(By sFrederick M. Kerby)

Wy itaChi I'm W. aNOtoJ
Washington, July 10.--No mat
ter what may be the outcome of the
present international complications,
1t is certain that Secretary of War
Garrison will recommend to Con-
gress vital reforms in army admin
istration. The Army War College
= has for some time been studying the
question of United States citizen
army, patterned after the Swiss mi
litia system, and Secretary Garrison
:. is now engaged in drafting an army
Y reorganization bill along this line.
What is the Swiss system? How
can the little mountain republic or
ganize and support military force
(which comprises practically every
y able-bodied adult male " the coun-
try?
According to estimates made by
the War College. the American sol
der costs something like rs
xtimes as much to maintain as the
,Swiss soldier. The little republic
can mobilize an army corps. fully
equipped with rations. munitions.
and transport, in three days. 1t
would take at least six months for
the United States to mobolaze an
equal number of citizen soldiers and
the end of that stin6 they would
be nowhere near as we'll trained as
the Swiss.
After a careful study of the Swiss
militia system. Lieut.. Col. George
Bell, Jr., declares, There is some
thing about this army which makes
it more to be dreaded than some
regular military establishments
which show more skill and precision
in exercises, but do not possess the
endurance, education and wonderful
patriotism which would endure any
thing. ANY nation. how
ever powerful, will pause before in
vading Switzerland, for
this army. or nation at arms. be-
fore being killed or annihilated by
sheer force of numbers, will infiict
terrible losses, as. while the Swiss
believes in peace. and desires 1t
s>above all else. his good sense tells
him this is best assured by prepar-
edness at all times"
Another of our officers who has
made detailed study of the Swiss
nNlatia system. Col w. C. Sanger,
is quoted as, saying IF proof were
needed that a land can train all its
citizens for the efficient and intelli-
GENT performance of that work that
must be done when war comes. and
what As to-day called militarism.
that proof can be found in the re-
public OF Switzerland. Without the
slightest thought of adding foot
to their territory. but with an in
tense love of country, and cheerful
Willingness to perform every duty
which their citizenship entails. they
have evolved and developed mill
tary system which has given them
the best militia in the world"
The method of mobilization en-
ployed by the Swiss army is describ-
ed in his report by Col. Bell. He de-
scribed the assembling of battal-
ion OF Swiss militia on September
rs in a certain square In Lucerne;
In this square," he says. were
several tables. and between and
9 o'clock the men commenced to re-
port, completely equipped, AS soon
as man reported he took his place
IN the section to which he belonged.
and then commenced a general In
spection OF the man and his entire
equipment by the Lieutenants in
charge OF these sections.
NThe inspection was most thor
oNsh every article being held up
and examined, socks being pulled
apart TO see that they had no holes
IA >hem, trousers were examined TO
see>jthat they were sound and In
eood condition. as We're all other ar
ticleknof clothing.
Every soldier had good pair of
extra shoes besides the serviceable
pair he wore. The meat eanteens
were thoroughly inspected and a
81 short time was given 10 the men to