Prior to my departure from Thoune, I had been witness to the mobilization of the Swiss Army, and was much impressed by the smoothness with which that operation was conducted. There is nothing which touches more profoundly the life of each individual citizen than the exigencies of the defence of his country. Obligatory service has always been at the basis of the life of the Swiss people from the early dawn of their national history. The primitive cantons, even before 1290, were persuaded of the importance of a preparation for war, a persuasion which succeeding centuries have done much to develop and strengthen. The very first cantonal pacts laid stress on the dispositions regarding military organization, and as early as 1476, the Confederates placed contingents in the field numbering 50,000 fighting men. The principle of universal service as adapted to present day requirements finds a willing acceptance amongst a people whose instincts, though ultra-democratic, make them realize that their independence rests on the attitude of the Confederation vis-à-vis of her powerful, and sometimes aggressive, neighbours. I have never in my experience of Switzerland heard a word of complaint of the burden borne by the State owing to the obligation entailed by universal service, though anger is deeply felt for the sacrifices imposed upon the country due to the ambitions of those responsible for the Great War. On the outbreak of war the Confederation manifested their determination to maintain neutrality as against all comers, and, by the mobilization of some 300,000 men, made clear to the belligerents their strength of purpose. The following table[1] gives a résumé of the gradual evolution of the military organization from the point of view of numbers legislated for at different periods:— ------+---------+----------+-----------+-------------------+------------ Year. | Elite. | Reserve. | Landwehr. | Landsturm | Total | | | | and Complementary | Effectives. | | | | Services. | ------+---------+----------+-----------+-------------------+------------ 1640 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 36,000 1782 | -- | -- | -- | -- | 63,697 1817 | 33,758 | 33,748 | -- | -- | 67,506 1850 | 69,569 | 34,785 | -- | -- | 104,354 1874 | 105,368 | -- | 97,012 | -- | 202,380 1899 | 148,435 | -- | 87,290 | 275,596 | 511,321 1911 | 142,054 | -- | 69,513 | 275,284 | 486,851 ------+---------+----------+-----------+-------------------+------------