Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-11
Switzerland.

Will Switzerland be partitioncd among
the signatory Powers TO the triple al
lance is question that is now receiving
serious consideration. OF course such a
thing Is possible, but, az we have heretofore
said, II is hardly probable. Germany and
her allies will doubtless continue TO en-
deavor to hector the little republic into
compliance With their demands, but 1t
is TO DO gravely doubted, powerful
as the combination is, whether they
will 20 to the extreme of shocking
the world with repetition Of the Polish
drama. II is not TO be denied that, con-
aidered from geographical standpoint,
the possession by Germany of the German
speaking Cantons might, under existing
conditions in Europe. be Of advantage to
that Power in case of war with France.
Nor is il to be questioned that, viewed
from the same standpoint, Italy might be
strengthened by absorbing the Italian
CantOns, or that portion of the republic
south Of the peaks of st. Gothard.
Austria's portion would also bring
her closer to her friends on important geo
graphical lines and not only increase her
territory. but salve wounds inflicted upon
her by the Swiss, from which she has been
suffering for years. She has not forgotten
Morgarten. Sempach, and Nafels. she
has not forgotten the two hundred years
war nor the losses and humiliation the
HAPsBUEGs suffered in the wrestling from
them of their family castles and other pos
sessions, and consequently she would
have double motive in favoring
the partition. But there IS another
side to the question. The enumeration OF
the advantages, as shown by the academic
discussion of the matter, that would accrue
TO Germany. Austria, and Italy from
Switzerland's partition is necessarily based
upon the hypothesis that the triple al
lance Will prove enduring. Should that
compact be dissolved the partition will
have extended the lines of possible
friction of one against another of
three great Powers and destroyed
an important buffer-such a buffer
as Afghanistan is in Asia and tho in
dependent Balkan States constitute in
Southern Europe. If we are disposed to
give German. Austrian, and Italian states
men credit for even ordinary sagacity and
foresight, this alone would seem to initiate
against the probability of partition. After
their experience with the people Of con-
ouered provinces, and what with their
knowledge of the Swiss as a liborty-loving
nation, Germany and Austria especially
must see that destruction Of the republic
by absorption would be dangerous ex-
pertinent as regards the future. The con-
trolling 10y Germany Of Alsace-Lorralne and
of Bosnia and Herzegovina by Austria IS
easy work compared with the difficulties
that would be encountered in keeping the
brave, hardy Swiss in subsection. Again,
as final suggestion contravening the as
sumption that the partition programme
will be carried out, it may be asked, What,
in view of the treaties that have been
made with and the guarantees that have
been given Switzerland from time
TO time, would be the attitude Of the
rest of the civilized world, and par
ticularly the rest of Europe, should
extreme measures be resorted TO? That is
something that the members Of the triple
alliance can hardly fail to ponder care
fully. No matter how well prepared in a
military way the great trio may be to use
ruthless and arbitrary methods in order to
carry their point, they know that the
moral support not only of other nations
but of the masses of their own people is
not TO be disregarded. In the dismember-
ment of Switzerland and the violation of
their pledges to her they would have
neither. With a knowledge Of this con-
fronting them it does not seem reasonable
to suppose that they will go beyond the
point of bullying.