The federal forces do not constitute a standing army, the principle being that of a militia, and the liability to serve twelve years in the Elite, twelve in the Landwehr, and six in the Landsturm. During the twelve years in the Elite (ten for the cavalry) the aggregate service is 141 days in the infantry, 146 in the engineers, 160 in the cavalry, and 163 in the artillery.

The total military strength consists of: Elite (20 to 32 years of age): 96 battalions of infantry, 8 battalions of rifles, 24 squadrons of dragoons, 48 field batteries of 6 guns, 2 mountain batteries, 10 position batteries, and 12 companies of light horse. Landwehr (32 to 44 years of age): 96 battalions of infantry, 8 battalions of rifles, 24 squadrons of dragoons, 8 field batteries, and 15 position batteries. An aggregate total, in round numbers, of 200,000 men, of whom 130,000 are in the first 12 classes of the Elite, formed into 4 army corps. In addition, the Landsturm can furnish fully 300,000, giving an armed strength of 500,000, maintained at a cost of about $5,000,000 a year for a total population of 3,500,000.