New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-19
SVTTZERL1ND'S DEATH PENALTT

Although the rlmor concerning the alleged Italian
anarchistic conspiracy against the life Of Kaiser
William on his journey 10 the East WAS received
with incredibly by the knowing ones in
Europe +, has revived interest In the measures OF
safeguard which are be discussed In the in,erna
tional congress ~ Venice II IL true that papers
ike the "Progresso Italo-Amer!cano" the Italian
in the United States hearing ~ the arrest
az Cairo OF the would-he murderers % the German
Emperor recalls that the spreading Of such rumors
Is oftentrnes A part of the usual tactics employed
by monarchlcal courtiers political detectives n
order 70 excite sympathy FOR their masters and 10
Increase the Importance % their own functions.
still tho "Progresso" is satisfied with the course
pursued by the government Of It's mother country.
which has invited all the Powers 70 a conference
which will he held az Venice. where measures will
be adopted TO defend Europ. against the plots Of
Anarchists.
There IL already movement in some cantons OF
Switzerland against the recent abrogation Of the
death penalty. II has been reported that Lucchesi.
the assassin Of Empress Elizabeth has written 70
the Swiss President letter requesting that MS thai
should take place IN the Lucerne Canton. and not
IN that Of Vaud Geneva. where the death penalty
has been abolished. This is mere buster. for the
murderer knows very well that in order TO give to
him punishment equal 10 his crime whole
country would not change suddenly its penal and
constitutional laws. on the other hand. II these
laws are not changed Immediately; II Will De on
account Of the stupid buster OF the Monarc hists
country for a crime committed on her territory,
Switzerland should be annhilated ana divided
among the neighbOrng Powers 70 which she was
an alleged perpetual danger because. Ike England.
she gave an asylum to political exiles. This was q
foolish threat from "Old fOgy' European diplomats
who voluntarily ignore the fact that the Swiss
authorities have always displayed great energy IN
discovering and arresting Anarchists living IN tnelT
territory: and who ignored also the awful lesson
which Switzerland taught. in the felde OF 1renson
NOrot and others 70 crowned despots VINO trled 10
interfere with her policy and her independence
II was IN the year 1873 that besan the rIoESy
rent in favor Of the establishment ~ the deatn
penalty In Switzerland movement s,nicn may "
faLen up again soon Three thousand names were
written 70 A petition. requesting ne revision Q.
Article IXV OF the Federal Constitution. vhlch
rr hbited the death penalty throughout all the Re
bubble on March % Of that yea the 1ouncn or
States bv n majority OF . 10 Is, abonshei me
article The National Council. ne popular house'
Cato tho article The question had assumed mean
1hiIe noIftical character between the Federals's
and the Cantoralists. the latter being anxious 20
restore TO the CantOns their sovereignty ~ pcnat
matters and the former being desirous 10 res rGt
as much as possible the Cautonal powers rlnauy
~ Council O, States and the House arrived a. aA
agreement which WAS ratified by the popular VoIe
On Nav IS 1873 That agreement was IN COZ
formitv with the Constitutional articles OF .ste.
Article s5 was abolished, every canton was n.e
70 adopt or reject The application or m" 1eaen
nenalrv. a single restriction was Imposed upon
iheu bv the new article 10 the ehect tlat we
death penalty should never be applied IN the c~ss
q crimes