ANDORRA’S NEW ARMY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18335, 1 March 1934, Page 5

ANDORRA’S NEW ARMY

AID FOR 11 REGULARS POWDER AND BALL ANDORRA, Jan. 5. The Constitution of Andorra—a State which boasts a population of 6000 —has been amplified to allow for rapid “mobilisation, of the -new forces am( militia.” In two hours the entire militia, amounting to some 1000 men, will in future be ready for active service along with the ll “regulars.” A member of the general staff will pjo round (he six parishes and give the order, “Get yopr gun and follow me.,” The general staff of the Andorra army consists of four officers. It is understood, however, that the six corporals are nof obliged to obey the orders vof the general staff. The only major was cbosqii by plebiscite. His former profession was, that of a carter. He also acted as a magistrate, while contraband tobacco running was said to be his main source of income. Once a year each member of the militia will have to show that he c;ut load and fire his flintlock a of not less than 90 yards in 30 seconds. lie must always have at home his flintlock, 24 balls, 1-jlb of black powder, and three flints. The guns are of the same type as those used by past generations. The army will have neither cannon, machine gups, nor' bayonets. The Andorran motto of “Strike me if you dare” goes back to 819, when Andorra declared its independence. It has never been at war since the feign of Charlemagne, but the international situation to-day is considered so serious that it has decided to raise an army. The inhabitants ave determined that never again shall their country be invaded by the French gendarmes, as it was last summer.