Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1899 American Edition.djvu/1423

 DEFENCE

10G7

2. The Laiulwehr, comprising all men from the 33r(l to the completed 44th year.

3. The Landsturm, which can only be called out in time of war, consisting of all citizens not otherwise serving, between the ages of 17 and 50, or (in the case of ex-officers) 55.

For military purposes Switzerland is divided into 8 divisional districts of approximately equal population, and the Elite is organised in 4 army corps each of 2 divisions, which are mainly raised each in its OAvn divisional district. The Landwehr is not grouped in divisions, but classified in the 8 divisional districts to which the divisions of the Elite belong. Each army division has 2 brigades of infantry, 1 battalion of carabiniers, 1 regiment of dragoons, 1 company of guides, 1 brigade of artillery, 1 battalion of train, 1 battalion of engineers, 1 field hospital, 1 administrative company, the normal total of all ranks (in- cluding 91 officers and 118 horses of the Landwehr train) being 12,808, with 2,284 horses, 42 guns, and 343 other carriages. Comprised in the Elite are the forces assigned for the defence of the Gothard and of St. ]\Iaurice, numbering 5,217 men, 2,776 being infantry, and 2,331 artillerymen. The 8 divisions are, by a law of June 26, 1891, formed into 4 army corps, each with its own staff", and troops corresponding with those of the united divisions. The Landwehr is normally of the same strength in infantry, cavalry, and engineers as the Elite, but the cavalry consists of personnel only. The eftective strength of the Swiss army on January 1, 1898, is as follows:-

—

Elite

Landwehr

Landsturm

staff of army and Ry. Sections

66

42

—

Infantry ....

108,309

58,528

50,606

Cavalry ....

4,245

3,292

—

Artillery ....

21,355

12,812

2,865

Engineers ....

5,915

3,894

—

Pioneers (unarmed)

—

—

104.072

Auxiliary troops (unarmed) ,

—

114,237

Sanitary troo])s

5,127

3,707

—

Administrative troops.

1,607

927

1

Velocip., Judicial officers, &c. Total ....

567

81

147,191

83,283

271,780

The whole army is composed of two classes of troops, those of the Con- federation, and those of the cantons. The Confederation troops are of the Elite and Landwehr— in cavalry, the guide companies; in artillery, the park columns, artificer companies, and train battalions; all the engineers, and sanitary and administrative troops. The remainder, consisting of all the infantry and the bulk of the cavalry and artillery, l)oth of Elite and Land- wehr, and the whole of the Landsturm, are cantonal troops, and are at the disposjil of the cantons except in so far as is othenvise jnovided by statute. In accordance with this arrangement, officers are appointed by the cantons for the units of the cantonal troops (i.e., up to the rank of captain), and by the Federal Council for troo])S of the Confederation and for combined cori)S. In time of peace the highest commands are held by colonels. When moliilisation is contemplated, one of the colonels is appointed commander-in-chief and is styled general, but on demobilisation he reverts to his former rank.

For the defence of the Gothard, Andermatt, Airolo, and Oberalp, there is a standing force of cadres (skeleton), and 2 battalions of fusiliers.