A CITIZEN ARMY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20150, 19 May 1928, Page 8

A CITIZEN ARMY

SWISS SYSTEM OF DEFENCE [BY FREDERICK STUBBS, F.R.G.S.] When revisiting Lucerne two and a half years ago, 1 sought out a little cafe by the banks oi the river, where a most interesting experience befell me. I had seated myself one afternoon in this little cafe, when the waiter came forward and asked me what 1 desired. Not being acquainted with the German language 1 had difficulty in making known any requirements. Whereupon a young soldier sitting at a neighbouring table turned towards me and to my great surprise said in perfect English, “Perhaps I can assist you, Sir.” This led to a conversation in the course of which. 1 ’learned that he had been born in England and until three years ago had resided there, attending on.e of the public schools. His father, however, who was a Swiss (the mother being English) had returned to the country of his birth, and the son now undergoing his term of service in the army, and on my expressing interest in the Swiss Defence System, he took me to the barracks, and we spent the remainder of the afternoon together. What I then learned from him and from two subsequent visits to Berne, will appear below.

President Roosevelt once declared that what the United States wanted was a military service on the Swiss model, and the same may be said of the British Dominions. There is no other military system in the world that is at once so efficient and so economical as regards time and money. Though Switzerland is a very small country with a population of barely 4,000,000, it can put inter the field a well-equipped force of 300,000 men, with an ultimate war strength of 600,000. On the day that Germany invaded Luxembourg and Belgium, the frontiers of Switzerland were guarded by the gleaming bayonets of 425,000 lighting men. Had this not been so, I regard it as practically certain that the German army would have advanced through Switzerland. And this done at a smaller cost of the nation’s time and money, and involves less inconvenience and vexatio, than in the case of any other State. The British army costs £lOO per man per annum; the Swiss army, £7. Surely a system of defence that is at once so effective and so economical, is worthy of the consideration of those who have to bear the burden. How is it done? The Swiss begin with the boy. By the time that he is five years old he is carrying a knapsack on his back—filled with books only, it is true —still he is training for the haversack as well. He will also probably become a member of a cadet corps, though this is not compulsory. In addition to this, he will join one of the athletic clubs, which are not compulsory, but very popular. To-day, since the Great War, athletics have to a large extent taken the place of the old system of gymnastics and drill, and a Swiss authority to whom I applied, tells me that the change has been quite successful. The youth of Switzerland are going in for out-door sports as well as exercises and since 1924, have distinguished themselves at the Olympic Games. Indeed, quite recently Switzerland obtained the World Championship in Rifle and Revolver Shooting Matches. The Man. When he reaches his twentieth every citizen, unless mentally or physically unlit, has to render military service. Some 30,000 young men thus present themselves every year for educational and medical examination. Marks for educational and physical efficiency are given and subsequently published, so that a spirit of emulation is aroused. Failure and rejection arc regarded as a misfortune, for the most desirable girls will not look at a fellow who is unfit to bear arms; and he also has to pay an exemption tax, ranging from five shillings to as much as £l2O ja year, according to his means. 1 Having passed the preliminary examination, the recruit proceeds to one of the military schools for three months, at the close of which he is considered a soldier and begins his military service; but to suit his convenience he may apply to be sent to a particular school, so that his ordinary life is interfered with as little as possible During the first twelve years of service he is called out for a short period ot drill and instruction each year. On reaching the age of 32 he passes intc the First Reserve, attending an annual exhibition of his weapons and a few days of drill until he is 40, when he passes into the Second Reserve, in which his period of service ceases. There is little barrack life, and when he is not on service clothing and kit are kept in his own home, so that he is always equipped for an emergency. Every officer rises from the ranks by merit, training, and examination alone, remaining primarily a citizen. Ho gives longer service than the private, and there are schools for officers in each district. The position is much coveted, and men work hard to obtain it. Non-commissioned officers are selected at the end of their recruit course and trained for a further 40 days. To carry out training, there exists a corps of permanent Officer-Instructors with non-commF-rione.i assistants. IStaff officers arc selected from among ordinary officers and then sent for special courses of instruction. The cavalry is maintained on an admirable yeomanry system. The regiments, drawn mainly from the farmers, are well mounted and fully equipped. Men train for 90 days on joining, and afterwards for JO days a year for 12 years. Every youth who wishes to serve in the cavalry must show that he is able to support a horse. Forage is issued only during training. The Government finds the horse; the soldier uses and feeds it for private as well as military purposes, and eventually becomes the owner. The mount costs the Government only £5 per annum. The pay of the citizen soldier is small, less than a shilling a day. It is regarded simply as pocket-money with which to purchase little luxuries. The pay of a lieutenant is about five shillings a day, nd other officers in proportion. 1 am sorry I am not able to give the exact figures, but these will be near enough for the present purpose. Soldiers have also privileges in regard to the postal service and the purchase of certain necessaries. The young Englishman told me that he had never before been able to obtain such comfortable boots as those supplied to the army. In the case of a widow’s son or of a poor married man, the law provides that district shall contribute while he is away on service. There are nearly 4,000 rifle clubs in Switzerland. These are voluntary associations, and show how general is the

interest the citizen takes in tho defence of his country. They arc naturally encouraged by the Government in every way, by inspection, grants, insurance against accidents. I have already mentioned the success of these clubs in the Olympic competitions. While the young Britisher plays, or more probably watches others play, at football, the Swiss youth trains himself in physical and military efficiency and finds interest and excitement in front of the target. On Sunday afternoon in the outskirts .of almost any town or village one can hear the ping, ping of the rifle. Results. What are the results obtained by the system outlined above? (1) It gives to this little country a force of over half a million men at a minimum cost in time and money, and entails comparatively little interference with tne home-life and industrial pursuits of tho people. (2) It conduces to the physical welfare of tho nation. The training and exercises in the open air develop the muscular system and mako for health. At the same time tho periods of drill break the monotony of daily life; make men hardy; afford change of scene and occupation; and yield a good deal of social enjoyment. (3) Tnere are important social and moral benefits. All classes are brought together in friendly comradeship and co-operation; social distinctions arc softened; habits of self-control and obedience to rightful authority arc formed. Y«*u never sec any rowdyism in Switzerland; the law is respected and obeyed. Few police arc required. Seldom does one see any drunkenness, and the absence of intoxicating liquors in camps the teaches men that they are better without it when hard work has to be done. (4) There are educational advantages. The young man has to prepare for an educational test; during service, too, he picks up a good deal of useful knowledge and acquires dexterities. Would the Swiss system of national defence meet the needs of the British Dominions? I believe it would, better than any other system yet devised. It is designed purely for defence; is effective; is the most economical; and, as T have shown, has many important, collateral advantages in regard to health morals, and behaviour. Personally, I hate strife, but I am convinced that one of the best ways of avoiding war is to be prepared—not for aggression but , for self-defence. Weakness invites at* tack ami I commend what, I have written to the serious consideration of my readers.