The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1915-10-09
BY EDGAR ANsEL MoWRER.

BY EDGAR ANsEL MoWRER,
Correspondent of the Chicago News.)
Lausanne, Switzerland.-Seign
in his "I'istoire Politique de rEurop,
Contemporaries begins his chaptel
on Switzerland as follows:
The interest of Swiss history mus,
not be measured by the size of the
country. This little country holds g
very important place in the history oil
contemporary European institutions
To whoever desires to understand the
evolution Of our modern democratic
society. this history may be recon.
mended as the most instructive selec-
ton of examples of the application of
the principle of popular sovereignty.
Foreigners who know Switzerland,
with or without having visited it, as a
country of tourists, hotels, mountains,
picturesque chalets, mountain rail.
roads. glaciers, milk chocolate, st.
Gall embroideries, cheese and refugees
Tor revolutionists. may be pleased to
know that OF all the people of Europe
the Swiss have, historically, been the
most belligerently tenacious of their
independence and that they are today
the people who have gone farthest in
the realm Of popular government.
The Initiative" has been general
since 1S4S, and the referendum" con-
sidered a most radical, modernist
measure. came in about the same
time. Proportional representation
was adopted by the Italian canton of
Ttcino as far back as 1891.
German Element Is Strong.
The Swiss confederation counts to-
day approximately 3,45O,OOO inhabi-
tants. of whom about 100000 are Ital-
ian by race and language, $50, 1000 con.
slider themselves French and the re-
naming 100000 speak German. Thus
the German element is by far the
strongest numerically and the most
important. 1t can control in fedora
tive political matters. The French
cantons. with the important centers of
Geneva and Lausanne and their excel. |
lent newspapers. play Intellectually a
role somewhat beyond that presumed
by their numerical inferiority. The
Italian element is relatively insight |
hcant. although one of the most bril-
liant Of the government ministers,
Sig. Motta. comes from the Ticino.
So much by the way of prelude to
a presentation of Switzerland's posi-.
ton during the present great war.
At the beginning Of hostilities the
French and Italian cantons manifest.
ed sturdy but inoffensive sympathy
Tor the allies. The German cantons,
TO the contrary. gave vent to a single
strong burst Of Germanophilia. I have
not taken account of the individuals
whose sympathies are always with the
side uppermost.
Today. though by stages SO imper.
septible that they cannot be traced
ne situation has become different.
Here In Romansh Switzerland the pop.
ilation Is still overwhelmingly pro-
lilies. There Is little German in the
'treets or In the stores. As soon as {
taiy entered the war the Ticinese
pronounced for Italy. It is not an OK.
legeration to say that. notwithstand. {
ng the German speaking majority, {
mere are now In the country as many
pen adherents Of the allies as of the {
Austro-Germans. This means that a
arge number Of persons who speak
'erman favor the nations of the quad
uple alliance. particularly France.
Swiss Industry Badly Hurt.
But new economic problem has ap-
cared and Is forcing people to face
squarely. Switzerland. accustomed
time of peace to derive considera,
lie profit from its fine scenery and its
entral position. now pays heavily for
he latter. A large proportion of the 7
ational army has been mobilized at
expense and kept under
rms since August, 1914. Industry is
inering. The foreigner comes but +
rely to the countless hotels. which :
and bleak and deserted like so manv
gantfc mausoleums. Only a few Il
,meless individuals from foreign II
'rts loiter in the streets-few by r
mparison with former years. Even
Q exiled revolutionary has quit the
tie country where he for so many
airs found sanctuary. A few from.
n towns are centers of espionage
d intrigue. That is all. The sun
les alone over the glaciers fair des.
ltion. There are no tourists shiy- ID
ng with cold and delight to welcome
upcoming or to turn away to hurry rs
wn the last slope homeward as he Is
8 behind the purple mountains. II
The country suffers from the loss
tourists. But most of all It suffers Il
n the bonds and restrictions with e.
lch the warning nations, and chiefly
se which command the sea. are n.
eavoring to correct II. During a AZ,
r the strings have been drawn a,'
tighter and tighter. Because she 90,
q seaport Switzerland can cie
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