New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-03-05
Smallest Republic Can Mobilize Trained
Army of 100000 in Two Days and
100000 More Within a Week.


necessary ammunition supply. This would
bc the case because several million Young
men would he in training. or have had this
training, and each of them would be greatly
interested BOO following the newspaper re-
ports Of the dongs of Congress along these
lines
People Back of Plan
Those 'ar-sceing and patriotic members
o. congress who made IL their business 20
work for continuing policy Of adequate
preparedness in ships. Notifications and am
muuitou. would have the active backing Of
these millions Of voters in all parts Of the
country, vino would want 10 be adequately
supported and supplied with ammunition =
called out TO tight an invader.
1T i7 necessary 70 get these considerations
before the people Of the country promptly. =
Congress is TO consider them. and this can
only be done by the daily newspapers.
Chicago is the central great city that can
best suggest it TO paper in all parts of the
country. If YOU will undertake this ! shall
be glad TO have The Spokesman Review
articles used. but in addition brief outline
Of the Swiss system could be added with
advantage
Swiss System Explained
For the enlightenment of those readers
OF The Tribune who are not convcrssnt with
Switzcrland'5 method Of training its citizens.
the following excerpts are printed from AZ
address made recently by DR.. Henry Fcrgu-
son before the St. Paul's School for Boys.
Concord. y. H.. just published by Dr.. Drury,
the rector:
$50 many illusions arc made to this
lSWitzcrland'sl excellent system that Il is
well TO understand explicitly what that sys-
tenn is II is as simple as it is admirable.
.i.e
rudimcnts Of elementary compulsory educs
tion. and keeping the adult citizen in readi-
ness for service without serious burden.
Every scho0boy is taught that his coun-
try has claim upon his services in her
defence. and is carefully trained by athletic
exercises, approved OF and directed by the
government, that tit him TO use his growing
strength to the greatest advantage.
These exercises are not of the nature Of
military drill, but furnish a progressive
training, beginning when the boys are quite
young and continuing through their school
life. They not only lead 10 a symmetrical
and careful development of the individual,
bu. also accustom the children to com
mon action, under skilled direction fitting
them 10 fall in readily with the later tech
meal military instruction when Ge time
shall come for IT,
THE great value OF this training Of the
children by the government is that IL coordi
mates the school with the subsequent camps
of instruction. so that all public energies arc
directed TO q common advantage.
"Whcu the boys become young men, rife
shooting is most carefully encouraged, and
clubs. societies and associations are formed TO
practise this most useful accomplishment.
Prizes are offered by the Federal govern
ment. by the various cantons corresponding
-4.4
palities and the communcs. and the young
Swiss is taught. as our own ancestors were
I'm Colonial days to shoot straight, TO speak
the truth and 70 keep his body under sub
lection.
Become Recruits at Twenty.
"Once IN every year the men OF twenty
wears Of age are called upon by their several
cantons to meet in central place in each
canton and take a series Of tests, with the
object Of ascertaining whether they are
physically and mentally able to serve their
country.
The recruits arc then sent TO training
camps. where they receive from sixty TO
ninety days instruction, according to the
branch of the service they are thought quail
feld TO enter.
After this. for eleven years. from the age
Of twenty-onc 10 thirty-two, the recruit -
fresh his training. and then ne IS trans
ferred from the elite to the landwehr or
first reserve. lie serves IN this for twelve
wears longer, being called into the held oniV
i'm alternate years, and then for eleven days
"Tben he passes into the andsturm, or
second reserve until at forty-eight his
period Of service is completed The govern
mon, keeps IN existence the head Of the ord
nance department. the general staff and tie
co.ps of instructors needed for the organ
zatiou.
Each soldier is given his uniform ana
l,.. ,-qo for the care of which he is re-
ponsiblc Cavalry soldiers have also Their
horses with these in band mobilization $
immediate.
"Tbo system has not. indeed. been tested
b,,. war hut on occasions when mobilization
,..., necessary 10 preserve the country's neu-
trality. as in 1870 and At the present day, "
has worked we'll and the tiny country ls
lo-allv and vigorously defended by her ONT
citizen soldiers.
Ideals Before Swiss Youth.
0oGcers arc made through merit, and are
80, s,ocial courses and retained IN active
se,,,icc FOR longer periods. The law permits
"a so1dicr 10 decline promotion with ~
sddod responsibilities in either the commis-
.ioned or non-commissioned grades
"Fverv soldier is insured against sickness
d. ,ccidcn, or death By the government while
',dor instructious or while engaged IN any
military duty a..
"The great merit OF the system lies IN th'
800. neral extent of the training, with the
minimum Of interruption to the domestic
/, lie and individual affairs Of the men ' VINO
are trained. and. above all. IN me ioeai'
Which +, constantly held up before every nor
mai Swiss bog. that the defence Of ms eoun-
,rv #. d matter Of his own immediate 'on
. corn. chat his country needs End claims no.
only his love and devotion ana ms P''"'' O''
also his personal bodily service .. -.
nrtl 80 arc comparativcly easy. but OF
a., difficult, 20 exclude ounces ana
yycakiings whom the confederation has no
n.c for The physical examination consist
or a test Of strength requiring the candidA's