Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-08-04
The Attitude Of Switzerland

Flies OF SNlSs papers up to the 2lst ultimo
have just come TO hand, and il would appear
that the authorities OF Switzerland were by no
means caught mapping by the war. Congress
being in session, Dr. Dulles, the President of the
Republic. addressed the Senate and House OF
Representatives in person, as follows:
1.-The Federal Council Is determined to defend
With all available means the neutrality and in
volatility OF our territory. Our REPRESENTATIVES
accredited 10 the Powers engaged in war have
been instructed to so inform the contendinS
parties In the mean time the Federal Council
las adopted measures TO protect our most ex-
yosed ioesliiy. Basic; and troops are already on
The march thither. Divisions one, two six
seven and nine hare been also called into SER
wee, and the entire first contingent is ordered
Ileket dnty. Snouid further exigencies seem
10 DC maTd Il, our whole army will be called out
nc SdeEai EetEcil can happily report TO your
qualification that Switzerland's condition OF de-
fence is good. Whilst the manufacture of our
magazine gun Is not in so forward state as to
enable Us TO furnish il TO the army, its pres
ent arms are nevertheless quite equal to
any, and particularly 80 to those of the
OF waT-inclCding arms, ammunition, and for
age. As 70 our finances, We have in the treas
ury several millions at our disposal, and meas
tres have been taken 10 effect loans. The rail-
reads have been notined to prepare for tr ans
IOrtation Of troops, and at any moment be ready
10 turr over their rolling stock to the govern
ncnt- lie PRESIDENT closed by saying: - We
are few in number. but We have in Us the con-
sciOEsness Of good old rights. the conscious
ness that VIC defend our country and our fire
sides, We have with us a united people, whose
autEOrItiCs bsrmOuize and fully appreciate the
responsibilities Of the hour, and every one can
rest assured that We shall confront unto death
any attempted disrespect to our sovereign
right
Amidst reclamation and rising of all mem
ters, resolutions were then read and passed
declaring that the Swiss Confederation, in the
impending var, will assert to the full extent of
its ability the neutrality thereof; that the Fed
eral Council Is Instructed to SO inform all
powers Hho figure As guarantees upon the treaty
of 1915: ard that tie Federal Council is empow-
cred Ia collect and make all requisite DISPOSE
ton of troops, and TO adopt such other measures
as may be deemed necessary. Unlimited credits
for the purposes OF defense is herewith accorded
to the Federal Council, As also full powers to
negotiate leans; a General in Chief and Chief
OF Staf To be forthwith designated.
We further see that Colonel Hans Herzog,
perhaps the most popnisr and efficient officer
the Swiss service, has been elected
Commander in Chief, to I'LL the place heretofore
so ably held by General Dufour, whose advanced
age fCrbids longer service. Colonel Paravicini
was &c rated as CHIEF of staff. A duty of $3.50
gold is reported As having been levied upon
every horse exported from Switzerland
The press OF Switzerland has been requested by
the federal authorities to abstain from publish
ing any movements Of the troops, and for a Re-
publican press Its reticence upon this subject is
somewhat remarkable; nevertheless we learn
from reliable authority at Basic that no less than
$500 troops had. up TO the 2lst ult., been con-
centTated there; that camps and barracks
were dotting the suburbs in every direction.
Prussia, in apr recitation of the decided manner
IL which the government OF Switzerland has
declared its neutrality, responds through its
Minister, v. Thiele; that the attitude of
Switzerland was highly gratifying and accepta-
be 10 Prussia, and that its government con-
graduated the authorities Of Switzerland upon
tie decided stsndtaken; that Germany should
respect the neutrality or Switzerland and that
fire. n this quarter no breath of good faith need
be apprehC nded.
On the part of France D'Grammont responded
that the Emperor highly appreciated the frank
ness with which the Swiss authorities took in
itiatiye STEPS to make known and assert their
international obligation OF neutrality, and he
congratulated Switzerland upon the effective
measures its government had adopted to secure
n strict compliance with European treaty slip.
ulations, under the protection OF which its ter
ritory was placed.
All along the German borders the throng OF
people seeking refuge in Switzerland is i'm
mense. The absent French thus seek 10 regain
their homes, and the denizens of the re gion of
war hope in some secluded Alpine vale To be
out OF reach Of the lannon's roar--the chasee-
rot AZ tie needle gun.