The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1916-02-17
Swiss Military Training Starts With
School Boy--Some Details of System.

y
Features of the Swiss system
obligatory military training are 81
forth and explained in the followin
article prepared for the American De
Tense society by the official Swis
bureau In the United States. One {
the interesting facts pointed out
connection with the Swiss system c
military training for national defens
is the military training starts wit
boys 5 years OF age in the schools.
While II is a well known fact, o
course that Switzerland is a neutra
state and that her neutrality wa
guaranteed long ago by her neigh
bors now involved in the war, the re,
public has never taken any chances.
II 1t wanted to preserve its neutrality
1t was necessary to safeg lard and de-
fend 1t. Before Belgium fell prey to
her invaders, the Swiss had taken
precautionary measures against a
similar fate, and that their tactics
have been successful so far Is proved
by the fact that Switzerland Is still
the one blissful haven of peace in
Europe While Switzerland is by no
means an advocate Of militarism, the
very presence of four powerful and
utnn cd naiuhhnxc oh1fnad fn
adopt system of national defense.
The expenditure for such defense
had, of course, to be kept as low as
possible, and yet, on the other hand,
In order to stand any chance of sue
cess, the defense scheme had to allow
for the placing of large masses in the
field.
Every Citizen Liable.
The Swiss army Is citizen army.
That means every Swiss citizen is liza
BILE to do military service II he is ply
sically and mentally fit This ac-
counts for the fact that Switzerland,
with population of 100000, main
tains the largest armed force in Eur
ope proportionately.
France comes second and Germany
and Sweden third. The other coun-
tries maintain from l soldier to every
ITO inhabitants, as in the case Of Rus
STA, to / soldier to every 40 inhabit-
ants, as In the case of Great Britain.
,Gtntictinc chnw tho nov % pito
cost of the Swiss army is about $2.25,
of the British army 81, of the French
army 1885 and of the German army
$2.10. The per capita expenditure of
the Unitde States army Is about 81
and, according to statistics, this coun-
try possesses an army of 176,O16, in
the national guard, all nom
combatant troops and the coast ar
tillery corps.
The Swiss military forces, the arti-
Gle goes on, consist Of three different
divisions. These are the so-called |
auszug or elite, the landwehr and the |
andsturm. To the auszug belong the |
young men from 20 to 32 years of age; /
10 the landwehr the soldiers from 80 |
to 40 years of age and to the land
iturm the men from Al to As years Of
lge.
Swiss citizens who are unable to do
heir military service because of resi-
lence In foreign country hive to pay
! regular military tax. Previous to
he war this tax was francs per
nan per year, but it has been doubled
emporarly, on account of the ma
ions great expenses brought on by
he war. In addition to this modest
ak, there is also taxation at the !
ate of 15O francs per 1000 francs of
rivate fortune and in certain cases on
very 1000 francs of half of an inner
lance coming to a man from his par
hts or grandparents. The maximum .
Military tax in normal times is 5000 \
rancs yearly. The maximum under ,
emporary war taxation is 5000 q
'ancs.
Begin at 8 Years of Age. $
At the age Of s years the Swiss
'hoolboy begins his course of physi-
Il training, which is gradually de-
sloped until he is 16 years old. Then l
me the cadet corps, in which the d
'ys undergo all the preliminary ex- y
cises and where they receive thor ID
Ugh and systematic instruction in +
fle shooting. a
The rifle used in the cadet corps Is. II
course, smaller and lighter model y
an the regulation army rifle. Rifle Il
actice for the youngsters is accord al
in regular military fashion, in an
iding range and field work. Pre- u
ratory work for young men be- W.
cen the ages of 16 and 20 years in
ldes athletics, marching, care and an
e of the service rifle and target WI
ictice. These preliminary training eli
lrses are taken usually by young po
N who hope to win commissions in eV
} regular army. so
Military instruction is given at the WI
'ense of the Swiss confederation NV ms
9Decial Instruction norns Doa.,,t. MS