  Decorative underline The Swiss Republic, or rather the Free Confederation of twenty-two small Republics (Cantons), had its beginning in the four “Forest” towns of Schwyz, Uri, Unterwalden, and Glarus. It was by the treaties of 1815, upon which, after the downfall of Napoleon I., the present distribution of Powers was founded and still to a great extent remains, that the neutrality of Switzerland was recognised, so that she is now, to all intents and purposes, excluded from taking part in an European war. Being, however, surrounded by three Great Powers, whose Armies may at any time traverse her territories from any quarter, she is obliged to guard her neutrality very strictly. This object she seeks to accomplish by universal conscription and by a military system which is adapted to the exigencies of the country and rests on the so-called “Militia System.” Terms of Service. According to this system the conscript has to pass only a few weeks or months in being trained, and is subsequently called out for only a few weeks annually during peace-time. This system certainly allows of universal service in the widest sense of the word, and also gives a small State the power of calling out a proportionally large Army in time of war. At the same time, however, this system, in order to be of any use, would require the people to be naturally of a warlike tendency, and every man to be thoroughly accustomed to the use of a rifle; in fine, it would require that there should always be a nucleus of thoroughly-trained troops, even in peace-time. Every Swiss is liable to service from the 20th to the 44th year of his age. Of these twenty-five years of service, thirteen are spent in the “Auszug” (Active Army) and twelve in the “Landwehr.” All able-bodied men between the ages of 17 to 50 who are not employed in either of the above branches belong to the “Landsturm.” Anyone who is not fit to serve has to pay a small fine as a sort of compensation. In case of war the “Auszug” would provide the Army as follows:— Organisation. Infantry—98 Fusilier and 8 Rifle Battalions. Cavalry—8 Regiments (24 squadrons) of Dragoons and 12 Companies of Guides. Artillery—24 Regiments of Field Artillery, and 1 of Mountain Artillery, each of 2 batteries of 6 guns Engineers—9 Battalions. Train—8 Battalions. Strength of Army. The strength of the Field Army comes to about 100,000 men. It consists of the Army Staff and 8 Divisions, each comprising 2 Infantry Brigades, each Brigade comprising 2 Regiments of Infantry, 1 Rifle Battalion, 1 Regiment of Dragoons, 1 Company of Guides, 1 Brigade of Artillery, 1 Battalion of Engineers, 1 of Train, 1 Field Hospital and 1 Administration Company. The Landwehr consists of nearly as many men as the Auszug, but the former are only called on to serve on garrison duty at home. As for arms, the Swiss troops are not behindhand with other nations. The Infantry is armed with the repeating Vetterli rifle, the Rifles with a similar short repeating-rifle, and the Dragoons with a repeating-carbine. The Field Artillery has three patterns of guns: the light 3·28-in., the heavy 3·93-in., and the mountain 2·92-inch guns. The Swiss soldier is more of a Light Infantry man than anything else; as for the Swiss Cavalry, it is not to be considered on the same footing as the Cavalry of other nations, being feeble. The Swiss Militiaman is trained for a short time and then sent home with his uniform and rifle. Thereafter he appears yearly for a short training, in order to “keep his eye in.” This sketchy military education is, however, greatly helped by the numerous Cadet divisions in the schools, and by Volunteer Rifle and Gymnastic clubs. Switzerland. |
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