The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1916-09-28
THE SWISS P!5PLE
HAVE GOOD SYSTEM
ONE EIGHTH OF NATIONS POPU-
LATION TRAINED AND EFFEC-
TIVE SOLDIERS
NON-M|uTARST|c; DEVOTED TO PEACE
Every Soldier Insured Against Sick
ness, Accident and Death by
Government

With a population of only 1000, 900
the little Swiss republic has a non
militaristic system of national defense
that commands the respect and admira-
ton of the world. If menaced by in
vasion (the Swiss constitution pro-
hibits wars Of aggression the republic
can call 200,0 600 trained men to the
colors in two days, and in a week 800
600 more.
80 many illusions are made to this
excellent system" said DR.. Henry Fer
guson in a recent public address which
he's just been published by DR.. Drury,
rector of st. Pauls school for boys at
Concord, n. d., that it is well to I'M
derstand explicitly what that system
is. 1t is as simple as it is admirable,
combining the earliest training with
the rudiments of elementary compul-
sorry education, and keeping the adult
citizen in readiness for service without
serious burden.
Every schoolboy is taught that his
country has a claim upon his services
in her defense, and is carefully trained
by athletic exercises, approved of and
directed by the government, that fit
him to use his growing strength to the
greatest advantage.
Athletic Training in Schools
'HTbaca pyprcicaC GRO not of tho no.
ture of a military drill. but furnish a
progressive training, beginning when
the boys are quite young and contlu'l-
ing through their school life. They
not only lead to a symmetrical and
careful development of the individuals,
but also accustom the children to com
mon action, under skilled direction,
fitting them to fall in readily with the
later technical military instruction
when the time shall come for it.
"The great value of this training of
the children by the government is that
it coordinGtes the school with the sub
sCquent camps of instruction, so that
all public energies are directed to a
common advantage.
when the boys become young men
rifle shooting is most carefully encou
aged, and clubs, societies and associa-
tons formed to practice this most use
full accomplishment. Prizes are offer
ed by the federal government, by the
various cantons corresponding to our
state g~overnments), by the mulicipali-
ties and the communes, and the young
Swiss is taught, as our own ancestors
were in Colonial days, to shoot straight
to speak the truth, and to keep his
body under subsection.
"Once in every year the men Of 20
years of age are called upon By their
several cantons to meet in a central
place in each canton and take a series
of tests with the object of ascertaining
whether they are physically and men
tally able to serve their country.
THE recruits are then sent to train
ing camps, where they receive from 50
to 80 days instruction, according to
the branch of the service they are
thought qualified to enter.
"After this, for II years, from the
age of 81 to 80, the recruit is called out
for II days in the year to refresh his
training, and her he is transferred
from the elite to the landwehr or first
reserve. He serves in this for II years
longer, being called into the field only
in alternate years and then for 20 days.
"Then he passes into the landsturm,
or second reserve, until at 48 his pc
riod of service is completed. The gov
eminent keeps in existence the head Of
the ordinance department, the general
staff and the corps of instructors need
ed for the organization.
Each soldier is given his uniform
and his rife, for the care of which he
is responsible. Cavalry soldiers have
also their horses. With these in hand
mobilization is immediate.
"The system has not, indeed, been
tested by war, but on occasions when
mobilization was necessary to preserve
the country's neutrality, as in 1870 and
at the present day, it has worked well,
and the tiny country is loyalty and
vigorously defended by her own citizen
soldiers.
"Oficers are made through merit,
and are given special courses and re
tanned in active service for longer
periods. The law permits no soldier
to decline promotion with it's added re-