THE SWISS VOLUNTEER SYSTEM

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2089, 15 January 1908, Page 6 (Supplement)

THE SWISS VOLUNTEER SYSTEM

As is generally known the Swiss people have in operation a system by which practically tho wliolo ol' its citizens are compelled to undergo a certain amount of military training, so that if necessity arises tho population as a wliolo would bo capable of taking part in the defenco of tho country. Recently an attempt was made to alter the existing Army law so as to -increase the length ot tho recruit courses whilst the subsequent trainings in tho “elite” wore to bo made annual for seven years instead of biennial for ten years. In other words it was proposed to provide for more arduous service. Tho amendment was put to the popular vote by means of the Referendum and tho result was a poll oi about 590,000 out of a- total electorate of 785,000 and tho majority in favor of the new haw was 62,000. •Tho Bizo of tho poll proves tho deep interest that is taken in all Army affairs in Switzerland, for it would bo difficult to imagine a more complicated subject to put before tho country than an Army Reform Act containing two hundred and twentytwo clauses. It was thought that tho majority would bo larger, and Colonel Favre, who writes .In tho Times, thinks that -it was kept down by religious cleavages, and by tho fear of tho cantons that their rights would bo forbidden by the Federal authority. That there should ho a majority in favor of the law at all is a singular demonstration of tho popularity of tho Swiss military system, and it is certainly significant that the Swiss people voluntarily vote for moro arduous service at a time when in conscript countries tho tendency is to cut down the service as nn excessive burden.