The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1916-08-17

Swiss military system. II mas
been the subject OF many thick
volumes and of articles beyond
counting-most of them so long
as to discourage any but students
of military affairs.
Some experts have claimed that
| the Swiss system, in all its fea-
lures, is the only feasible mill
tary plan for the United States
others declare that only some OF
the features would be practicable
for this country. The Statesman
has compiled the following digest
of the Swiss plan, so that States
man readers may be familiar with
all its important details, and
Judge for themselves.
The military duties demanded
BY Switzerland are not numerous,
but they are rigidly impartially
exaeted. They comprise the.fol-
lowing:
First-Every Swiss male eiti-
zen must do military service. The
only exception is the man who is
not able bodied; for the latter is
substituted an annual military
tax. This must not be confused
with the privilege of exemption
from military service by the pay
ment of money; Switzerland
Grants no such privilege.
SecOnd-Every eitizen-soldier
can be forced to become an Off
Ger or to accept any command or
perform any duties required
Third-Every eitizen-soldier
must practice target shooting with
a minimum number of points dur
ing the years he is not called on
for military service. If he misses
the term he is called for three
days without pay.
Fourth-Every eitizen-soldier
is obliged to keep at home IN per-
feet condition his uniform, arms
and equipment
Fifth-In manOuvers the COM
munities are bound to hold at the
disposal of the troops the shelters
(rOOms, barns, etc. )for ambulance
and staff purposes as well as for
quartering troops and horses.
Sixth-LandOwners are requir-
ed. to hold their grounds at the
disposal of the troops when want
ed for manOuvers. Damage to
property is paid for.
Military training begins IN boy
hood. Compulsory gymnasium
drills and physical training IN ac-
eOrdanee with the army regula-
tions are established In all the
Swiss schools. This work takes
from four to eight hours a week.
Attendance is compulsory for all
boys between z and Is. In some
IF the cantons they have the cadet
corps, where marching, map max
ing and target shooting are
taught After leaving school vol
1ntary work goes on in the mill
AIRY preparation companies estab-
ished in almost every village and
own, and instruction being given
1y army officers, for boys be-
tween Is and 20. Thus before
he time comes for regular mill
AIRY service the boys have reach
d manhood with foundation of
strength, agility, discipline and
Elementary acquaintance with the
oldiers' work.
On account of the foundation
hus laid the actual time required
or military service is short At
% the young man receives his
rms and equipment, which he al
-ays keeps at home in good con- a
ition, ready for instant mObili- n
alton. He now enters a recruit p
.hool, the training In which var t
s from so to 80 days according e
, the branch Of the service. This Z
a time Of hard work EIGHT or f
inc hours a day. n
Having finished his work in the il
.eruit school, the young Swiss h
now a trained soldier and is o.
LISTED in the regiment or battery ST
his home town or village, and
rves in his country's army until fC
s forty-eighth year. VI
There are three classes IN the eT
viss army. Of
The first class, the Auszug, is h
ade up Of the men between 20 q
d 30 years Of age, who serve two va
seks every year They are well II
aimed, active soldiers, able to P'
AXE long marches, climb noun OF
ms, sleep anywhere and do all til
nds Of hard york.
The second class, the Landwehr, be
insists Of the men between 80 pl
d 40. They serve for two weeks co
cry third year. Their work is it
IS strenuous than that Of the ca
lszug, but they are more mature HI
= A Il