Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-29
W|TzERLAND IN ROLE
OF ''GOOD SAMARITAN"
relieves Sufferings Her Neighbors
Are Causing to Each Others
Subjects.
wARRING NATIONS ON ALL SIDES
oDiiged to Arm Herself Against
POSSIBLE Violations OF Territory.
Cost Means Tremendous Outlay,
Averaging SS,OOo,OOO a Month.

Averaging SS,OO0,OOO a Month.
BERNE. SWITZERLAND Novcpbor
2S.-Switzerland, surrounded ON oil
sides by warning nations Obliged her
self to arm against possible violations
OF her territory, forced into nm eco
nomic neutrality. in which sbc to
scarcely nblc to suit anybody. wbi,.
SUFFERING great deal of harm bersolf
mas only one role that pleases every
ohe-that OF the Good Samaritan NJ
EUROPE. relieving the sufrerings her
heiehbors are causing to each others
subjects. The burden of maintaining,
communication between several million
prisoners of war and their kindred foil
upon the Red Cross committee OF
Geneva. Switzerland also rushed to
the frontiers loaded with refreshments
and comforts for refugees and mutt
lated soldiers. returning home through
her neutral territory What this has
cost Switzerland in money cannot he
reckorcd. What ii has lost CONNER
cia'ly ana financially in other direc-
lions IL is difficult to estimate. beyond
the millions that her mobilization has
cost her.
'"' ""'SS people are particularly
sensitive oyer the suspicious they have
been exposed 20 by reason of their
geographical position, the varied char
acter of the population and the result
Ing division of sympathies in the con-
hict There has undoubtedly been
some contraband. but no more than
there would have been in any other
country whore private gain is tcrnpted
by high paid risks. \ great deal OF
contra band has been prevented Bv
reason of commercial treaties. Switzcr-
land was unable to prevent the trans
portation across her territory of enor-
nous quantities OF merchandise that
italy sent to Germany in exchange for
coal before she declared war on Aus
tria. The Inspection Of that mcrchan-
disc 10 detect contraband Of war was
Formidable task
Regarding suspicious in France that
importations from that country into
switzerland went to supply the Ger
mans. the Swiss people point out that
these importations for the first quarter
Of 1915 were 90. 600 900 francs less than
FOR the first quarter OF 1914 AT the
same time they complain OF the s,op-
page by France OF goods across the
Atlantic that were Indispensable for
tho provisioning of the population and
for the operation OF their Industries
These complaints were naturally more
bitter from the German part of Swift
Zcrland
From the beginning OF the war, Swift
Her'and has been Obliged TO appeal con-
stantly to tho good Will Of both Eroups
OF powers at war, while being at the
same time tugged at from many diff
q ri y,
ing interests. All this is what made
possible, even necessary. the idea of
an importing trust. which bears the
name Of the Swiss Society of Economic
Supervision. This. it is hoped. will re-
move the friction; it will not OF course.
indemnify Switzerland for her direct
OUTLAWS of 500. 600. 900 in mobilization
expenses. her charitable work nor her
Indirect losses In business stagnation
Her mobilization costs her an average
OF SS,O0O.00o month: if the war last
two years. tho total will he nearly
$500. 100000
What Switzerland has lost in receipts
from tourists was shown by the de-
erase OF S6.ooo.O00 in the receipts OF
Federal railroads from August to De-
cembcr. 1913
In July. 1914, the number OF tourists
registered at Zurich was 1856: this
year. in the same month. there were
only 1855 visitors. At Lausanne
there were S.670 guests registered In
July. 1914; this year there was only
1850
Professor Scipcl is quoted as saving:
IF the anguish Of tho sombcr Euro
pcan tragedy didn't weigh so heavily
on our hearts and conscicnces life
would never have been so agreeable in
Switzerland AS at present We are like
Il little family that has bid adicu to
its boardcrS and found il charming
intimacy again" The hotcl-kccpcrs
are unable 10 look upon the situation
with the same philosophy. All Of them
are in financial distrcss-sornc of them
in desperate straits. exposed 10 the
ruinous competition of new houses or
OF Old houses that may be brought nj
ruinous terms after peace that that
may be declared. Their situation
prompted the suggestion OF hotel
monopoly. in order to improve the
security to banks who are asked to
renew advances
All business in Injuries has been
tried particularly. In July. 1918, only
25,043 gold watch cases were stamped
as compared TO $1,000 in July, 1911.