New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-06-03
WHATEVER SHE DOES
SURE TO RAISE HOWL
Attitude Of Belligerents Has
Cost Dearly In Lost
Customs Duties.
BY l.. l.. LITTLE.

with French inclinations, and the rest
either Austrian or Italian, she is in
constant turmoil, although all factions
seem resolved on neutrality-inter-
preted according to their sympathies.
While Germans are being arrested
for espionage in the hotels of Berne
or Lucerne and Swiss colonies court
martialled for giving secret informa-
ton to the German authorities, the
French hold propaganda meetings un-
der the guise of lectures in aid OF
blinded soldiers. II Switzerland sells
goods to Germany the Entente accuses
her of aiding the enemy; if she re-
fuses, Germany insists she has joined
the Entente in trying to "starve the
Germans"
Accused on All Sides.
eve have tried" said an official, ito
abide strictly by The Hague rules Of
neutrality. We have lost 20,000,0O0
francs in customs duties. We have
expended, probably. 100000 francs
ir extra workers for the transsnp-
nent Of mail and bread for prisoners.
Yet we are kicked, cursed and spat
Upon from every frontier"
The question of Swiss neutrality IS
rot one of political or rational exist
ence now, but purely a commercial and
economic matter. SO difficult was the
business of getting foodstutfs soon sf-
ter the war began that the "Societe
Suisse de Surveillance Economique'
was formed as a part Of the Depart
ment of Commerce.
II merchant wishes to import bag
Of rice he must make out an elaborate
QUESTIONABLE and send il TO this soci-
city. If the department regards the
matter as legitimate, the request is
forwarded to Paris, where 1t must be
passed upon by the French customs Of
ficisls and the War Department, the
first for permission and the second for
transportation. The least time in which
such permission may be granted IS
forty days, and the permit is good only
for forty days additional. Frequently
delays in shipping, in transportation or
at the frontier make delivery impos-
sible-whereupon the poor merchant
must begin again as he did eighty days
previously
For a time Switzerland found it pos
sible to trade rice imported through
France to Austria for her sugar, which
was then used in Swiss condensed milk
and chocolate for sale TO the Allies.
II gave thousands Of people work, but
the Entente stopped that because II
supplied the enemy with rice. II Ger
many chose. she could close the shops
and stop the railways of Switzerland
in a very short time. for she supplies
900 carloads of coal daily.
Customs Duties Fall.
Because of fear that goods sold TO
Switzerland may be passed on to the
Central Powers the Entente refuses 10
allow more than a certain amount,
based upon importation before the war,
10 enter. Under these structures Swiss
customs duties have fallen 20,00000O
francs since the war began, sugar has
advanced from % TO 80 francs per 100
kilogrammes, TO 102.50 francs. and the
amount OF wheat for -four within the
country has decreased by 80 per cent.
Without intention upon the part OF the
Entente, some of the restrictions be-
come hardships. For instance, impor-
tation of lard and fats of divers sorts
is based upon 19l2-l3, but the impor-
tation Of livestock has fallen of be-
cause of the war demand and Swltzer-
land is left without the raw materials
formerly brought in as beef and then
rendered into serviceable shape there:
Find a Swiss official after bad
meal or after an atfront by some Al
lied customs officer and he will tell
YOU two tales. not as typical, but the
sort that rankle. A shipment Of oil
cakes for cattle was refused az Mar
settles because Switzerland gave no
guarantee that it would not be export
ed. The price would have been 10
francs .er unit. Ii was then sent to
England, to Holland, and atterward
into Germany, where II sold for Oh
marks. IL does not seem 10 be the
fact that the stuff got into Germany,
but the easv commission gained IN
Holland. that hurts as the thrifty SWISS
toll this story. The other one IS OF
some carloads of lard held-unduly, ac--
cordinc TO the Swiss--in the port OF
Cette. EXPOSED TO the sun. When II ar
rived in Berne two-thirds had melted
away and had 10 be refused. Then, OF
course, began long correspondence
about the blame and the loss, after
which another forty days must pass
before even permission 70 import a
similar shipment could be received.
Proud Of Humane Work.
DESPITE their dissatisfaction with
narts OF the work imposed upon them
h. the war. the Swiss are proud OF
other things which they are doing.
Special attention is given TO letters
sent to and by prisoners Of war. and
tho marcel post bread for prisoners
amounts TO 100 carloads daily. The
English. French, Italian, Russian, Aus
trien and German governments have
denominations in Berne, through which
bread is forwarded TO their own men
in the hands OF enemies. The Russian
application for March 70 alone was
IS 900 hounds. The Societe Suisse has
made INQUIRIES constantly from eX-
change prisoners passing through and
has learned that all belligerents are
delivering parcel post bread IN good
faith. Having once convinced them
selves that such things actually reach
their destinations. the Swiss have re-
doubled their efforts in this humani'
tartan but thankless work.
An attempt by the Swiss 10 aid tn.
Serbs unoficially WAS frustrated by the
british. The Serbians in Switzerland
Rad managed 20 accumulate five car
loads OF supplies for distribution TO
civilians near Belgrade. IL was largely
made up Of clothes, chocolate, drugs,
medicine and such like, but included
half a car OF rice and the same amount
of -four. Arrangements had been con-
cluded with the Austrian government
for two Swiss officers 70 accompany
the shipment and oversee the work
Because OF the rice and -four the Brit
ish gave orders that il should not be
sent: Because, we suppose" said the
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