We have not been told a great deal in the
last week about the organisation of the Norwegian army. Actually the national militia system is very like the Swiss, which is gener- ally recognised to provide the makings of a very efficient defence force. In Switzerland liability to serve extends from 18 to 6o, in Norway from a to 55. The period of initial training is in Norway 84 days for all branches, in Switzer- land 88 days for infantry and artillery and rather longer for cavalry. As about 12,500 are trained a year in Norway, something like 400,000 men should be available on mobilisa- tion. Unfortunately, the suddenness of this emergency has prevented mobilisation proceeding normally, and many of the men are very badly equipped. The total population of Norway, it is worth remembering, is under 3,000,000— nearly a million less than Finland's. JANus.
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