The Helena independent., 1892-07-27
ASKS TO Be Let ALONE.
Tho Position OF Switzerland in the
Event Of 4 War in
Europe.
Seeks no Alliances and VIII Par
ticipate In no Quarrels Of
NeiGhbore.
Her Territorial Neutrality Must Be Ro-
spccted-Prepared to Defend 1t With
a Force aud Arms.

IN A pamphlet upon the subject of Swiss
neutrality which ls being published III
Rome, il regarded by politicians in Berne
Il az a mere ballon d'sssai. The preliminary
reviews in the Italian military journals and
the number Of notices and advance proofs
sent 10 the Swiss newspapers are evidence
that this is simply an attempt to obtain an
expression of opinion upon the interesting
and important question Of Swiss neutrality,
and upon what this country intends to DO
Il In the event of an outbreak of war.
In order to obtain the views OF RESPONSE
4 BILE ministers, remarks the correspondent OF
che London Times ut Lucerne, attended
this morning at the federal palace, IN
Berne, and WAS favored with an expression
OF opinion which. I WAS assured, embodles
the ideas not only of the members OF tho
federal council, but of the Swiss people gen
orally. In view of the publicity given in
Switzerland and Italy to the contents OF the
pamphlet in question. 1t il necessary ths'
their reply should be made known.
The writer of the pamphlet. who remains
anonymous, takes it for granted that In she
great European war, which he MAINTAINS
is sooner or later inevitable. An attempt
will be made to violate Swiss neutrality,
and endeRvors to show that without foreign
aid it will be impossible for Switzerland to
protect her territory from invasion. Then,
assuming the role of q friend and adviser.
i be puts the question whether it would not
be wise for this little country to look
around among its neighbors and league
itself TO that one which can be of the great
est service.
OF course he points to Italy As having
most interest in common. and tells Svitzer-
land that she is foolish to spend money
upon Notifications when by allying herself
bility, without any expense at all. OF gain
ing fresh territory, (alluding presumably
to Haute Savole) an increase Of popula-
tion, and development Of her commerce:
IL in the coming struggle victory should
smile upon tho allied powers, Italy would
be able to guarantee protection Of Switzer-
lands extended territory, and further sac
ri6ces for military purposes would be un-
necessary.
II is not known in Berns from what quar-
ter these suggestions come, but they are
taken sufficiently seriously to merit the re-
ply communicated to me to-day. This in
brief is a. follows: The neutrality OF
Switzerland was guaranteed by the treaty
of Vienna, and 10 still recognized as indis-
pensable in tho general interest Of Europe.
The government and the people are per
fectly in accord with the will of the powers
that they shall remain outside all foreign
influence, and they are therefore deter
mined TO maintain their neutrality. At the
same time they claim the right to make al
lisnces. and even to declare war They are
masters Of their own destinies and may, if
they wish, league themselves to any power
for the maintenance of their sovereignty.
But as they have no idea of any alliance,
no such proposal has ever been received or
made, and the suggestions of this Italian
pamphlet meet with no sympathy from
AfA Ahor hn Sruta ,nr,% |
The prorfered bait Of gaining fresh terri
tory or winning increased power has no fas-
cination for them. They are not ambitions
in these directions. They are quite satis-
fed a. they are, with the people fairly
prosperous, with no serious internal dissen-
Gions, and with cohesion gradually estab-
fishing itself between the cantons. When
Savoy was annexed to France they might
have insisted upon the fulflment of prom
ises that Switzerland should have the neu-
tralized territory. but they waived their
right because the Protestant canton of
Geneva would have been swallowed up by
the Catholic population of Savoy, or. if
another canton bad been constituted. the
equilibrium would have been destroyed.
The same Argument holds good to-day.
Now the Swiss know where they are, they
are gradually concentrating their political
forces, the balance of power between Ultra
montanes and Protestants is beginning to
regulate itself, and they have no desire to
impose upon the confederation fresh peo-
pie who might not readily amalgamate with
the existing population. For these reasons
Switzerland simply asks to be let alone and
be allowed to protect herself in case of any
outbreak. This she claims she is able to
do with her $50. 600 or 100000 men, no mat
ter from which side any attempt to violate
her territory may come. 1t is true she 40
cepted the advice to fortify the Rhone val
ley, but these works are intended not only
to prevent Italy and Germany from Joining
hands in case of war with France, but to
prevent France from crossing Switzerland
to attack Italy. A country with such lin
tied resources as this could not afford to
fOrtify all her frontiers. and the Gothsrd
pass and the Rhone valley were selected be-
cause they are the keys to her position of
defense. In case che wore unable to pro-
tsct the frontiers from invasion, her armies
would be concentrated at these points, and
she hopes to make them impregnabe.
These official opinions were reflected in
the comments of the Swiss press recently.
The Journal de Genevie concluded an arti-
Gle by saying:
"Swltzerland will close her doors to all
Comers III order to prevent her territory
from being made the battle field of tbs
armies of Europe. If we fail in this task
it will be with honor, and those who abuse
their power III attempting to crush the
peaceable people of a little country which
has never meneced any one will apnear
odious in the eyes of history The defense
OF our country may be serious and p,o-
longed; we know we shall have as mucb as
we can 90. but we shall not shrink from our
duty"
Specimen Cases.
S. II. Clifford. New Cassel, Wis. was
troubled with neuralgia and rheumatis,,