New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-03
CITIZEN SOLDIERS
The Example of Switzerland in
Defensive Preparedness

RIGHT AND DUTY: OR, CITIZEN AND SOLDIER;
swiizeriand Prepared and a. Peace. a Model tor
ths LATED states. b. Frederick A kuen1li.
,e,,s,Iv An o;,,csr Of The swiss Army. Illus
i i9.nSI' lsmo Do rs. g. L. s,schs;i Co.
Two voices are there" One is, that
Switzerland, with its universal military
service, presents the worlds best modei
of democracy armed like strong man
in defence of his own house, which IL
we do not emulate, we shall not kno"
salvation. The other, less numerous
but more shrill, admonishes us that our
national salvation depends upon our
scrupulously stunning the wicked mill
tarism of the land Of Tell and Wmkel-
RED Between the two. each must make
his choice; we, at least, dong so with
little hesitation. But TO those VINO
choose the one or the other, the sane
and informing voice of this little vol
ume comes with the authority OF facts.
The author is an enthusiastic ad-
mirer of his native land, which ne
served with distinction in both college
and camp; though he has now for many
years been an American citizen and
public servant. He is also strong
believer in military preparedness for
this country, as nearly as may be pos,
sible according to the democratic model
of Switzerland; which, by the way, APP
proximates closely 70 the design of the
founders of this Republic as expressed
in the Constitution and early legisla-
ton. But he is by no means a mere
special pleader. His book is not o
of information. historical, descriptive
and legal. =.
Beginning with the Interregnum of
the Empire, in the thirteenth century,
he gives US a concise yet strikingly
comprehensive history of Swiss ma
tional development down to the present
day; a narrative which is essential to
a Just understanding Of the temper and
ideals of the Swiss people, and Of the
military organization of their confed-
Grated cantons. "All for each, and
each for ALL" is the prescription Of
their Ancient Bond. But we must not
fall into the error of imagining that
epigram to describe nothing but the
relations of the cantons among them
selves. II does indeed apply 20 them;
but it has long had, with increasing in
tensity and significance, another FAR
more fundamental and far more COM
prehensive meaning. That is its appli-
cation to the relationships between the
individual and the nation. All for
each, the whole Swiss nation for each
individual Swiss citizen; and each for
all. each individual Swiss citizen for
the whole natiOn-in war as well as in
peace.
Mr. Kuenzli gives us a notably clear
and comprehensive account of the
manner in which the entire nation is
thus organized, trained and equipped
for national defence. Obviously, the
system has not liuterfered with the
spiritual and intellectual life, for
which Switzerland has been honorably
noted. Neither has it been an incubus
upon industry and thrift, qualities
which the Swiss have indeed developed
so highly as at times to incur therefor
reproach. No visitor to that play
ground of Europe" is ever oppressed
with a sense Of pervasive militarism.
The alpenstock and the shepherds pipe
are seen hundred times oftener than
the rifle and the sword. Yet it is no
fight of Imagination to say. as does
our author, that when the storm broke
in Europe in August, 1914, and none
could tell which way it might roll,
"within forty-eight hours after the
order of mobilization the Swiss army
% $4,000 was drawn up to a man,
along the German, French, Austrian
and Italian frontiers" Switzerland
was not 60 be another Belgium, or an
other Greece. Contrast this with the
mobilization Of our own "Federalized'
National Guard two years later! Mr..
Kuenzli suggests the contrast; and
also invites to imagine that we had
had first class power to deal with.
instead of a gang of vagabond bandits.
An invaluable feature of this book is
an unabridged translation Of the Swiss
Military Constitution of April. 1907.
This is a detailed instrument, covering
with minute precision every conceiva-
BILE point of organization. adminstra-
iion, equipment and operation-a whole
military code. The results which have
been produced demonstrate the thor
oughness and the loyalty with which
its every section and clause has been
fulfilled. until we begin to wonder If
Germany. after all, was the most eff
GENTLY prepared nation on the Cont
nent. If the opponents of prepared
ness can extract any horrible ex-
ample from the lucid fact-giving of
this book, they are welcome to do so.
There is,no doubt that the advocates of
rational. democratic preparedness,
such as was contemplated by the found
crs of the Republic. will find in it a
priceless store of information, instruc-
tion and inspiration.