The Dickson County herald. (Dickson, Tenn.) 1907-1979, 1915-10-15
By EpoAR AMsgl MowREa,

Lausanne. Switzerland. - seiguobos
in his "HistoiTe Polltique dc Europe
Contemporaries" begins his chapter
on Switzerland as follows.
The interest OF Swlss history must
not BIO measured by the size OF the
country, This little country holds a
very important place In the history OF
contemporary European Institationa
TO whoever desires TO understand the
evolution OF our modern democratic
society, this history may be recon-
mcnded as the most instructive aeiec-
sion OF examples OF the application OF
the principle Of popular sovereignty,
Foreigners who know Switzerland
with or without having visited II. as a
country OF tourists, hotels. mountains,
picturesque chalets. mountain rail
roads, glaciers. milk chocolate. ST,
Gall embroldsries. cheese and refugees
for reyo!utionlsts. may DO pleased to
know that OF all the people Of Europe
the Swiss have. historically. been the
nca' hclligerently tenacious OF their
Independence and that they are today
;ho people who have gone tarthest in
che realm Of popular government.
Tho Initiative" has been general
kiace 1913, and tho referendum" con
S,aucd most radical modernist
measure came in about the same
toe Proportional representation
was adopted by the Italian canton Of
g.c,ao as far back as 1891.
German Element 10 Strong.
The Swiss confederation counts to.
day approximately 3.i5o0oe inhabi-
tauta. OF whom about zoe, 900 are ltal
ian by race and language, $50 900 con.
- STEER themselves French and the re-
naming 800 900 speak German. Thus
the German element Is by far the
strongest numerically and the most
tive political matters, The French
.cartons. with tho important centers OF
t.,.eya and Lausanne and their excel
low newspapers, play intellectually a
r'" somewhat beyond that presumed
Va thcir numerical inferiority. The
ilu AN element is relatively insight
tpurt. although ono Of the most bril-
liant OF tho government ministers
sig Motts. comes from the Ticino,
So much by tho way OF prelude TO
presentation OF Switserland's posi-,
ton during tho present great war.
AZ the beginning of hostlllties the
trench and Italian cantons manifest
~ u sturdy but inotfensive sympathy
for the allies The German cantons.
20 the contrary. gave vent to single
strong burst OF Germanophilia. have
not taken account OF the individuals
whose sympathies are always with the
side uppermost.
Today. though by stages 80 tmrcr,
ceptible that they cannot he traced,
the situation has become different.
Here In Romansh Switzerland the pop.
ulation Is still overwhelmingly pro.
allies. There is little German In the
streets or In the stores Az soon as
Italy entered tho war the Ticinesc
pronounced for Italy II Ia not an ex,
aggeration to say that. notwithstand
ing the German speaking majority
there are now In the country as many
open adheronts OF the allies as OF the
Austro Germans. This means that n
large number Of persons who speak
German favor the nations OF the quad
ripple alliance. particularly France,
Swiss Industry Badly Hurt.
But new economic Aroblcm has ap'
poarcd aud liz forcing people to face
Il saharely Switzerland. accustomed
IN time of peace to derive considera'
bio rroNt from it's fine scenery and Its
central position, now pays heavily for
tho latter \ large proportion OF the
national army has been modified at
considerable expense and kept under
arms since August. 1914 Industry Is
suffering, The foreigner comes but
rarely 10 the countless hotels, which
stand bleak and deserted Ike so many
SiaantIc mausnleums Only few
homeless individuals from foreign
parts loiter In the strcets-few by
cora aartson with former years Even
the exiled revolutionary has quit the
little country where he for SO many
years found sanctuary \ few from.
tier towns are cense2S % espionage
and intrigue That is all The sun
rises alone over the glaciers fair des
olation There are no tourists shiy
cring with cold aad delight TO welcome
hts upcouling or 70 turn avaf 10 hurr,
Down the last slope homovard as HI
sets behind the purple mountains
Tho country suffers from the los.
OF tourists But most Of all Il suffer.
from the bonds and restrictions with
which tao warning nations aud CHIEF,
those which command the sea. ar,
endeavoring to correct t. During 1
year the strings have hecn drawr
ever tighter ard tighter. Because sh,
lacks seaport Switzerland car