New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-12
SWISS FEAR AGGRESSION
Motive of Italy Distrusted by the
Tiny Republic.
TRIP0LI AFFAIR ALARMS
Loss of Canton of Ticino Might
Be Followed by Grant of
Geneva to France.
TRIP0LI AFFAIR ALARMS

Berlin. Nov. S.-"After Tripon what
next" is me question which. according to
dispatches from Swiss correspondents Of
the German papers. is agitating the Swiss
press and public.
Italy's seizure Of Trpoli, combined with
the well known aspiration Of the Italian
Nationalsts to unite the Italian speaking
portions of Switzerland with the Roman
kingdom. is causing. say these dispatches,
much discussion of the possibility that the
little mountain republic may be a future
object of the aggression Of It's southern
neighbor
Since the outbreak OF the Tripolitan war
various Swiss papers have pointed out the
significance for Switzerland of this unex-
pected launching Of hostilties and the
seizure OF coveted province and have con-
Guided from il the necessity of neglecting
no steps 10 maintain at the highest pos
sible efficiency the defences and fighting
power OF the country.
The part OF Switzerland on which il Is
feared that Itay's eye may be turned is
the canton Of Ticino, on the Italian side OF
the Alps. known TO thousands Of tourists
who have travelled over the ST. Gothard
Railroad or visited the Italian lakes. Its
area is Loss square miles and. like the
southern part Of the canton of Nalais and
the Engadine region of Eastern Switzer-
land. Is marked upon the maps and colOred
postcards OF the Italian lrredentists (agi-
tators for a united Italian Empire) one
Of the regions ultimately 70 he Joined to
Italy What has focused attention par
ticularly on the Ticino is the vexation
manifested in certain Italian quarters at
the strong Swiss fortihcations Of the ST.
Gothard Pass which dominate the canton.
A series Of articles on the importance
Of these Notifications by an Italian gen
eral has recently appeared in the Cor
riere della Sera." OF Milan, but Italian
criticisms OF the Swiss mistrust have
rather increased than diminished the zeal
with which the Notifications are being
pressed.
In a recent article DR.. J. Schollenberger
professor OF political science at the Uni
versity Of Zurich. maintains that Switzer-
land can expect little support from France
and none from Italy Of the neutrality and
integrity Of Swiss territory possible
combination in the minds OF the Swiss pes
simists is an Italian occupation OF the
Ticino. for which France would be com
pensated by the grant OF Geneva a town
thoroughly French in language and SYM
psthies.
Not only Switzerland. but also Austria
Hungary. Italy's ally. is thinking Of the
possibilities Of Italian aggression. Since
General Conrad has been at the head of
the Austrian General STAFF the fortrication
NJ the mountain valleys Of the TyroI along
the Italian frontier has been carried on
with unceasing energy. until now every
connecting pass and valley between the
two countries Is dominated by powerful for-
tihcations.
Now attention has been turned 10 the
c,ufser JIoch. we'll known Alpine pass
Oi,usted al the junction Of the frontiers
- Austria Italy and Switzerland over
ut a.. ene carriage road leads from Italy
80 Austria The pass has hitherto been
o,s,derod amply defended by the fact that
49,. ro,,e masses for distance ~ about
~, niles across a narrow point OF neil
raj Swiss territory. but since the CON
.,ructton hy Italy ~ fortified camp at
r. ,oot NJ Monte Umhrsil ana OF fort
- uonta Opa. both near the Italian end of
- ,ass and the extension NJ the Italian
,,-aao 70 Bormio. strong agitation has
-, Cor. defensive measures on The Aus
trian side
i''i sao rs the fact that mountain
- ara no longer allowed 10 ascend
Dr. T-n1brnil. one Of he Ell
known ALPINE ascehis