The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-01-29
WEE SWITZERLAND
PICKING QUARREL
Has q Dispute with Italy and
Germany Regarding .
Railway Line.
sAmsrsc.a News Service,

(Amsrscaa News ssrvies>
Basle. Switzerland. Jan. 2s.-"The
matter which 10 ut present chiefly en-.
easing the attention OF the Swiss ma
ton 10 the st. 0othard Railway dis
puts, In which Germany and Italy sup
plisd about twothirds OF tho neces-
eoyy capital While the line was still
= private undertaking. these two pow
ers in consideration Of their financial
interests In II, were allowed o have
representatives on the board Of d.
rsctors, and also received most favor
cd nation treatment In the matter OF
transport Of goods. rs well a. half OF
the net profits. whenever these ex.
ceeded Z percent. When the state
purchased and took over the Swiss
railways. the st. Gothard company
sold their line. with the consent OF
Germany and italy, which consent was
given on the understanding that GER
tain concessions were to be granted
them.
The exact nature Of these conces.
sions was left to the representatives
Of Germany. Italy and Switzerland.
They have since been mbodied In
draft convention. the terms OF which
have now been published. and have
aroused the strongest feelings OF re-
sentiment In Switzerland. Germany.
It now appears. has demanded most
favored nation treatment. not only on
the st. Gothard line. but also on all
the Swiss lines, actually existing. IN
construction. or hereafter to be built.
Italy. In self.respect. has had to fol-
low suit. and also demands most raw
ored nation treatment on these lines.
Are Up In Arms
II II against the ratification OF this
convention that the Swiss people are
up In arms. They feel that Germany
has been attempting to intimidate
them. and moreover. that to grant her
demands would be q distinct deroga-
ton from their independence as
Sovereign state. They cannot be
truly independent any longer, they ar
que. II two OF their powerful neiehbors
are constantly debating to them about
20 important a matter ~ their rail-.
way system. The Swiss delegates
who were parties to the drawing mp
OF the convention are openly accused
oe having betrayed their country. and
q having known the feel Of German
gold.
Tho only one Of the three parties to
the proposed agreement. Will IL salts
fed with the terms contained In 1t 10
Germany. Italy IL exceedingly dis.
satisfied, because she thinks that, hav-
linz moro capital than Germany in
volved In the st. 0othard railway. she
ought to have obtained greater con-
csssions. which n not the case. An
eminent Italian statesman. indeed, re-
Gently remarked. There Is not the
allghtest doubt that italy and Switser-
land have been tricked (jouees) by
Germany over this question" and M.
dc Marinis. President OF the Italian
Government Committee for the Examt-
nation OF Internal Treaties has said
that. In his opinion. the only way out
Of the present embrolio Ii to submit
the whole matter to an arbitration tri-
bunal.
The Swiss public Ii ready to make
any sacrifice rather than grant Ger
mays demands. Besides the meetings
Of protest. which are being held all
over the country. there 10 even move
meut to submit the matter to an lni-
tiative-that II. to form referendum.
BY which. on tho demand OF at least
$1,000 citisens. tho Federal Parliament
must consider = certain bill which
they desire to have made now. Al
ready the petition Is being largely
signed. but the "Bund." the govern
ment organ. thinks that to allow the
popular vote to decide upon 30 delicate
. matter ~ an international agree
ment - Iry dangerous precedent.
The anxiety Of the Swiss about the
81. 0othard Railway dispute with Ger
many 10 shown by the fact that. al.