The New York herald., 1870-08-20

National Position In the Wnr-Between Two
Fires by TopOgraphy-tiow the People Feel
Towards the Betigercnts-Teuton Power
Norrl-Whnt the Republic Ha. Done for
Napoleon Personaliy-Neutrai, but Well
Armed.
RoMANsHogN LAKE OF CONsTANcE,1
August IA, 1870.
II Is most unfortunate for the quiet, peace-oving
Republic OF the Alps that her geographical position
compels her TO be- 1t were, party contest in
which she has nothing to gain and maybe, every
thing to lose Placed between Two fires, possible
victim to the territorial ambition OF powerful
nelghbors there Is other alternative her than
to arm herself to the teeth TO prevent any en-
croachment upon her valleys and plains. Swtzer-
land OF the present moment Is In a situation some
what similar to that OF the bogder States during
late war; for like that section OF the Union she would
fain remain neutral between the contestants, and
yet it is all but impossible for her to preserve the In
tegrity Of her soil from the rival armies. The
northern portion OF the republic seems designed
by nature as highway Of approach TO Southern
Germany the one hand, and to the cen.
ire of France on the other; for the country
between Basic and the Lake OF Cons ance Is
succession Of wide valleys and extensive plains
wherein few obstacles exist to prevent the advance
OF the largest armies Nor has Switzerland taken
any precautions to obviate the natural want OF
tresses there nor the means TO arm them according
to the requirements OF modern warfare and she
may he said to exist from the same cause as Turkey
in Europe-slmply account Of the jealousy OF her
neighbors.
FEELING TOWARDS THE BELLIGERENTs.
My journey across Switzerland has convinced me
OF two things-Frstly, that the Helvetians are as
one man, resolved to preserve determined neu
tyaiify in this war; secondly, that their sympahes
are about equally divided between the French and
Germans. The southern cantons and those border
ing on Alsace generally Gallo In their feelin gs
SO far as this Is concerned; while those which
face the Ducny OF Baden are slightly pro.German,
Well informed In the two sections seem TO have
greater fear Of German encroachments than OF
the French for the road Paris from Basle Is more
likely to tempt the Prussians than Southern Ger
many will do their opponents The real strength
Of the Teutons lies In their northern territory;
whereas the country forming the centre OF France
is easily approached all the way TO Paris,
the two fortresses OF Belfort and Langres
| being the sole obstacles to the advance
OF an invading army. The great bulk OF the En-
perOrs forces "a now concentrated In the northeast
corner OF the empire only few scattered handfuls
OF troops remaining In the departments bordering
the railway from Mulhouse TO Paris; and were the
Prussians to trespass across Swiss territory and
enter the region In question, they would simply have
to zeal for o time with the National Guard and q
small modicum OF regular troops 1t is therefore In
the interest Of France to preserve intact the integrity
of Helvetic soil, forming as it does rampant Of
defence to her centre and capital; but there Is ike
wise another and strong reason for Swiss confidence
in the French Emperor. Louis Napoleon passed q
considerable portion OF his early in the repub-
lie, and was honored by being made SWISS citizen.
He Is known TO be grateful for the protection Afforded
him when his name was likely to cause him the fate
which the proverb assures us threatens naughty
''bowwOws;' and he is not likely to forget how the
Swiss turned out hundred thousand srolg to pro-
tect him from the hostility Of the Orleanlsts, and
came very near plunglng their little republic into q
war with France, solely his account. But after
all, they are unanimously resolved TO protect their
confines against Prussians and French alike
and whichever trespasses upon their domain Will
find them prepared for an energetic resistance
THE SWISS ARMY.
The Swiss army consists OF Its National Guard. ana