ARMED AND READY

Evening Star, Issue 23292, 14 June 1939, Page 1

ARMED AND READY

SWITZERLAND WOULD DEFEND HER FRONTIERS MILLION TRAINED MEM AVAILABLE [Pie United Press Association.] WELLINGTON. June 13. Switzerland’s determination to preserve her independence was emphasised by Mr P. Ehrler, a. Swiss, who has been farming in Taranaki for a number of years, on his return by the Awatea to-day from-a visit to his homeland. Switzerland, he said, was well armed and not afraid of Germany or any other country. She was determined to fight to the utmost to preserve her freedom. The first country that touched her frontiers would get a rude shock. That was what, she had told Germany, and she regarded Germany as the country she had to watch. The Swiss had only one fear, .Mr Ehrler said, and that was of a dictatorship. All political parties w'ere united against that threat. The Swiss frontiers were electrified throughout, and the touch of a button would close them to invaders. Switzerland could muster 1,000,000 trained men at short notice. Compulsory ‘military training had been undertaken by all men between 20 and 32. The maximum age for military service was 60.