Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-06-24
THE THREAT AGAINST SWITZERLAND.

THE THREAT AGAINST SWITZERLAND.
The Republic of the United States of
America is, or ought to be- deeply inter
ested in the maintenance of the integrity
of the Oldest of epublics-Switzer-
land. There are indications Just now
of a disposition on the part of
the European monarchies to press
claims upon that republic which it cannot
concede. Behind these claims, there is
grave reason to fear, stands the willing
ness if not the anxiety of European mon
archs TO have the Swiss Republic broken
up. The former demand of the little
montana oasis of liberty that it shall no
longer permit its territory to be a refuge
for socialistic refugees from the monarchieS
except under surveillance of German po-
lice; that it shall serve notice forthwith
upon the Anarchist and Socialist exiIes
that they must not conduct conspiracies
within the republic against the monarch
les; that if they continue to do so they
will be expelled. So far as the last demand
i concerned, perhaps it is not without
reason, and the Swiss Ministry has SO far
conceded 1t, that it admits there has been
too much local laxity in the tolerance of
these malcontents. But it replies that it
cannot undertake to withdraw all protec-
ton from those who seek shelter in the
republic. 1t is willing to restrain them
to the full limit demanded by neutrality
laws, but il cannot deliver them, nor per-
NIT them TO be taken.
To the demand on the part of Russia,
Germany and Italy, that Switzerland shall
permit these Powers to maintain secret
police within her borders for the purpose
of watching and reporting upon the refu-
gese, the Council of the Swiss Republic re-
plies with dignifed emphasis that the
thing is impossible. As matters now
stand, 1t looks as if the Continental
powers intend to bully Switzerland into
conceding that which would practically
destroy her independence, and, in case of
her refusal, to compel her by force of arms
TO accede. OF course the Swiss republic
could be easily oyerrun and cowed by Rus
STA, Germany and Italy, and in week.
time every hamlet in the republic be put
under the bayonet rule of foreign Ser
geant. The twenty-five cantons and half
cantons are simply at the mercy of the
European monarchies, who can DESTROY
their Federal relation without much of an
effort. Switzerland has properly no stand
ing army, the regular force being small,
But every able-bodied citizen between 20
and "A is prepared to respond at a mo-
ments notice to the call to arms to defend
Yhe liberties of the country. There is not
one OF them who is not an expert marks
man, or who is not able to climb the
nights and fight from the rocks of his
native land. Probably Switzerland could
put into the field 100000 marksmen. But,
on the other hand, the area of the repub-
lie is less than 10000 square miles. Its
greatest length is but 2l0 miles, and its
greatest breadth but 40 miles. 1t is sur
rounded by powerful monarchies save
upon the west, where France adjoins and
that could not, under present conditions,
afford Switzerland any aid.
The Swiss Constitution of 1915 was rati-
fed by all the great powers of Europe
and the perpetual and inviolable indie
pendence and neutrality of the confedera-
ton OF cantons was guaranteed Twelve
years later Switzerland yielded to the de-
mands Of the powers, restricted the liberty
of the press and limited the right OF
asylum. In 1880 the powers again COM
planned that Switzerland had become the
resort of their political refugees, who were
given license TO plot and ann against the
powers. Thereupon Switzerland again
placated the monarchies by further cur.
failing the liberty Of press expression
and by expelling some noted political
exiles. When France, in 1885, demanded
the expulsion of Louis Napoleon, war wa.
only avoided by his voluntarily retiring
though he was naturalized citizen of the
republic. When Prussia, in 1855, demanded
that Switzerland pardon the captured
Royalists OF Neufchatel, who had at
tempted TO overthrow the Government
all the powers sided with her, and Switzer
land refusing, Prussia prepared to move
against her, and was only prevented by
the intercession of France and England
the prisoners were freed as the price o
recognition by Prussia of the independ
ence of Neufchatel. BY the Constitution
of 1874, for which fourteen and hal
cantons voted, and seven and half re
jected, restriction upon the freedom of tn
press was removed, absolute liberty of con
science and of creed assured, and the RICH
of petition and association guaran
iced, but the right to expel danger
Gus foreigners was retained as power O
the Federal executive.
Because of the murder of the Car
Russia in 1881 demanded of SWITZERLAND
that she radically curtail the rights Q
asylum extended 70 Russian Information
ais and revoiutibnists. The Fedora
Council declined to aceede but agreed t
tighten the screws little The cantona