Evening star., 1905-11-05
BEAUTY OF THE ALPS.
German Tourists and Monster Hotels
Have Injured the Section.

From the Pail Mall Gazette.
The recent formation in Switzerland of
league for the preservation of the beauty of
the Alps has already met with a sympathe-
tic reception In England. where the mat
ter has been taken up with view, IL not
of forming English branch, at least of
lending a helping hand.
Sir Martin Conway who was asked by
representative of the Pail Mall Gazette
whether the movement was likely to sue
ceed said he thought IT was, and his rea-
son for thinking SO was that 1t is a local
movement. Had the preservation league
been formed outside of Switzerland and he
doubted whether anything would have come
of it. but seeing that it was home move
ment 1t was likely. he considered. to have
considerable effect
The greatest Injury done to Switzerland,
In Sir Martins opinion, has been the erec-
ton of monster hotels altogether out Of
scale with the villages and their surround
ings. and it was very difficult, he said. TO
see how the destruction of the Alps in this
way could be prevented except by the pres
sure of local public opinion.
But has local opinion Sir Martin was
asked, .'ever prevented the operations OF
the builder where the needs of the tourist
have been a consideration?
Yes" said Sir Martin, Il will give you
case as much oyerrun by tourists as
Switzerland the very beautiful village OF
STERLING. A league was formed for pre-
serving its beauty, and 1t has preserved II
absolutely; not single house mas peeh
moved or altered. and every new house has
been built in harmony with the old type
The place, it is true, has been cleaned and
smartened, but it is the perfection OF pres
ervation. And what has been accomplished
in the Tyrol can, contend, also be done
in Switzerland"
Sir Martin admitted, of course, that lit
tie, if anything, could be done with the
places that have already been deprived OF
their charm, but there were many beautiful
places left, he pointed out where the in
fuence of the league should be most BEN
eficial.
In common with every visitor 70 Switz-
erland in recent years, Sir Martin has aot
failed to notice that the days when the
principal tourists were English have gone
by 1.-The English and Americans he fe-
marked, "are showed under by the Ger
mans"
ITO what do you attribute this changer
our representative asked
ITO organized trips and cheap travel very
largely The cost of return ticket from
Germany to Switzerland is small, and the
journey, OF course. takes nothing like the
time that Is occupied in going from Eng
land The Germans. moreover, have always
been a great people for wandering IN the
summer. and the fact that they should have
gone to Switzerland In great numbers is
not extraordinary They expect 10 ma az
commodation at reasonable rates, and IL
is no doubt to; the constantly Increasing
number OF German tourists that the cree
ton OF these monster hotels is due But
any one who likes can go to pretty places
still There Will always be demand for
quiet places in the summer, and as soon as
a place becomes rowdy and begins to de-
teriorate. like some of our watering PAGES
that might be mentioned, ii will be avoided
by persons who require quiet holiday.
Reference was made before the Interview
closed to accidents in the Alps
A f.ffs Mo- rffv iaf rac1 Ecr
numerous are the accidents of which We
never hear When persons totally mex
perienced in climbing set out, as 50 many
do. with unsuitable boots. and in other
and return in safety--that u IN accident.
and it Il never reported