New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-09-13
AN ISLE IN A SEA OF WAR

there is no such thing as an enlistment Tor
term Of years. Instead, all male citizens between
f.cd ages are members Of the militia and serve
fci short periods at stated intervals. In this way
every man in the country is made a good soldier
without seriously interfering with his occupation.
4 powerful! fighting force be put in the held
in a few days. Another advantage of the system
is the low cost. By keeping only small force III
active service the Swiss maintain what IS gem
e-ay regarded as a thoroughly satisfactory mill
tary force TO. the low rate Of about twelve francs
Per capita per annum. When the small popula-
ton is considered this appears remarkable.
With the situation in Europe as it IS, Switzer-
land appears to be fairly safe just now. Her
greatest danger will be after the war; eSpeeaIy
if Germany should win
It was the House of Hapshurg, whose troubles
started the terrible conflict raging, which was
directly responsible for the founding Of the Hell
yetian Republic. The Hapsburgs were family
whose power was rapidly growing. BY the middle
of the thirteenth century they were in control OF
Austrian politics. They were large land owners in
the region which is the heart Of Switzerland
and they claimed feuda rights over the inhab-
itants hesc mountaineers refused TO submit 10
Hapsburg rule. On August /, 1921, the men OF
the three forest .antons of Uri Schwyz and Inter
walden met and formed the Everlasting League"
for the purpose Of resisting the llapsburgs. That
house attempted 10 make war on the members OF
the alliance, but was completely routed in one
battle a few weeks after the compact had been
made
The three cantons were aided by four adjon-
ing districts in their first fight. From that time
on other cantons and divisions joined with the
original ones under the terms of the Everlasting
League The main occupation Of this organization
for the next two centuries was getting rid Of the
Hapsburg and Austrian influence. Rights land
owners were recognized, but any feudal claims
were calmly ignored, and were at time enforced
successfully. In 147f the Hapsburgs formally
gave up their claims.
At that time there was a decided lack Of unity
in the federation, due to the wide differences be-
tween ito members. It was regarded by them as
a union for defence only. The retirement Of the
Hapsburgs was Immediately followed by the Bur
guudian War; during the course Of which Switzer-
land was attacked a nation. This gave the
people a national spirit and feeling of oneness
of purpose Pressure was renewed Austria,
the Only kingdom which had any claim to SOW
ereignty over the Swiss, and in 1899 that country
recognized the independence Of the Swiss nation
For the next three centuries internal troubles
caused by religious differences prevented any m-
portant progress. The party which commended for
renouncing the authority Of the Pope and the
separation Of Chnch and State was successful,
AMI on March %, 1898. a league formed,
which was referred to a. The Hclvetic Republic,
one and ndivisba." Since that time the material
progress of the country has been rapid. New
constitutions adopted in lSlS asd 1874.