The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1916-02-10
A FAMOUS SWISS
HALF AMERICAN"
Emil Frey, Former President of Switzer-
land, Was in American Civil War
and Knew Prominent Gen.
erals of That Period.

4 Berne, Switzerland, Feb. l0.Emi
Frey, former president of Switzerland
is one of the notable men of the country
who, since retiring from the presidency
has become head OF the international I'M
ion by which the telegraph, cable and
wireless systems of the world are regu-
lated at this central point But while
Mr.. Frey has risen to the highest office
! in his own country, he feels that he is
about half American, for he was in the
American Civil war from start to finish
as a member of an Illinois regiment,
was captured at Gettysburg and held as
a prisoner for Is months at Richmond,
met and knew such war figures as Grant,
Sheridan. Lee and Longstreet, and later
on returned to Washington as Swiss
minister, where he renewed the acquain-
lance with Sheridan and others made in
war days.
When friend remarked on the eorretc
ness of his English, he said
81 took my lessons under rather novel
conditions in Libby prison at Richmond.
My prison companion could speak moth
ing but English, so that after being with
him for Is months had acquired good
knowledge Of English"
Mr.. Frey was held as hostage against
southern prisoner, Capt. Gordon. held
in the North under sentence of death,
and as a result he also was under SEN
tence of death until Gordon was released
When Gordon died later some of the
southern papers had the picture of Cor
don and Frey as the two whose lives had
been paired against each other. But few
knew this northern soldier, Frey, was
the president of Switzerland.
The International Cable-& Telegraph
union, which Mr.. Frey directs, is one OF
those world organizations administered
here in Berne. II is rather strange that
Switzerland, far from the sea and with
out any cable connections, should be
chosen to direct the vast ramifieations |
of the worlds cables, to which has now
been added the worlds wireless systems,
and all the telegraph of Europe and the |
Orient. But IL is largely for the reason
that Switzerland has no direct interest |
IN these huge systems, and stands at one |
side as a neutral observer. that she is
'hosen to carry on this intricate service.
Mr. Frey's Offices occupy a large building,
With an extensive personnel at work on
able and telegraph tariffs, the adjust
nent of disputes between countries over
ates and procedure. the preparation of
able, telegraph and wireless maps and
,rinted volumes embracing every point
he world over that can be reached by
my OF the modern methods of quick
transmission.
This union is unique in one respect"
aid Mr.. Frey, cas- il is the first realiza
ion OF the idea of a world administra-
ion. Before il was created in 1865 the
iiferent nations had passed similar laws,
nd uniformity was secured BY treaties
nd conventions under these laws. But !
he international union actually realized
world administration which is now
arried on for nations all over the globe
18th the same regularity as any admin
Itration Of a state or private organiza-
.on."
The war has had a paralyzing effect
n cable and telegraph transmission {
reater in its restrictions and interrupt
ons than anything in the history Of :
ectrical Transmission. This affects
liefy the heiliVerent countries. all
-ansmission between neutrals and bel
gerents. and between two neutrals. - d
sry much restricted and subject 70 new 2
ad refund about routes o
The latest iist II Interruptions COM z
iei ~ the international union eovers G
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