COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 36, 6 November 1907, Page 7

COMPULSORY MILITARY SERVICE.

—« : t A BURDEN FOll THE YOUNG. BY TELEGRAM ntESS ASSOCIATION— COrYIUGHT. Ecrne, November 4. Switzerland, by 320,102 votes to 264,183 votes, ratified the new law throwing tho chief burdens of 'military sorvico on young men. Sorvice in the national forco of Switzerland is compulsory and universal, with tow exemptions, except for physical disability. Those excused or rejected pay certain taxes in lieu Under tho old law', liability extends from tho seventeenth to the fiftieth year, actual service commencing at 211. The first lii years aro spent in the first line, called tho Auszug, or Elite; tho next 12 in tho Landwehr, and the remaining six in the Landsturm. The initialtraining is very short. It is carried out in recruits' schools, and the periods have hitherto been from 12 days for the infantry, to 80 davs for the cavalry. The further training called repetition courses, Ims been ten davs every year for tho cavalry, and tliroo weeks every other year for tho infantry and artillery while the Landwohr men have three trainings of.one week each in their twelvo years' service. After much pressing on the part of tho Swiss general .staff, tho periods of initial training have been increased to 05 days for the infantry, and foot artillery, 75 for tho field .artillery, and 00 for the cavalry. The repetition courses have also been slightly extended.