Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-09
Heated Discussion
in National Council.

the full powers given the general-fn-
chief of the army. Orators represent
ing romano Switzerland and German
Switzerland exposed to the council the
emotion of their electors. emotion due
to alarm inspired by fear for Switzer-
lands neutrality.
1t was stated by the romano speakers
that in order TO understand properly
the disquiet of the people ii was nee
essary TO so back TO its origin. They
recalled the taking over of certain eco
nomical enterprises in Switzerland and
the violation of Belgian neutrality. The
popular conscience of romano Switzer-
land was violated by the convention
of the Gothard with the imperial gov
ernment' The great majority Of the
people approved the use made by the
federal council of the full powers ac-
corded in the economical domain. but
the people criticised the full powers
given to the military authorities; the
people demand that the federal council
withdraw its entire authority accorded
to the army. And the orators each con-
Guided by an appeal in favor of union
On the other hand. two deputies of
German Switzerland took the defense
of the eeneral-in chief and the chief of
the general staff. VI. Hochbertin de-
clared that the federal council had
right to occupy itself with the violation
of Belgian neutrality the orator per
sonaiiy condemned that event in the
most energetic terms. The disposition
of the people in romano Switzerland
appeared to the orator unfortunate.
If it was necessary to take care of
Swiss nationals in the countries of the
entente. il was necessary to think of
those established in other states. The
orator expressed himself in favor of
concord.
NJ. Sigg of the canton of Zurich with
other socialist deputies. offered a mo-
ton reprovins the doctrines of neutral
lty like those submitted to the tribunal
of Zurich by the chief of the general
staff. Won Sprecher. Won Bernegg, NM
Grab and Maine, also socialists. sub
united two propositions tending to place
in retirement the general-in-chief and
the chief of the general staff and
replace them by the federal assembly
The problem of economical readjust-
nent after the war which is engage
ing the earnest attention of the en-
tente allies, is being taken up by Ger
many with the view of defending ite
threatened interests. Already certain
German Industries are changing their
location in Germany and removing to
Switzerland as a better field of opera
tions. 1t is probable that this is
other factor in the disquiet of public
opinion in Switzerland accepted as a
menace to SwitZerland's neutrality.
The konfektionaer of Berlin. organ
of all industries of textile nature. an
nounces the formation. by order OF
government" of a syndicate of spin
nefS Inc better 10 parry u cataStro-
phe after the war. a new journal has
been created as an intermediary, the CEN
trail office for the purchase of raw ma
terials. This office is to he located I'm
Switzerland. and alone is authorized
by the German government to purchase
the materials which the blockade. it is
certain. will keep out of Germany. The
Roh toffseinkaufs. being under govern
ment control, will fix the price of the
and distribute them among
the divers German Spinners and weay-
ers in Germany. The Metal Blanc
kompany of Pforzhem tBaden) has
already removed to Glaris. Switzer-
land. 1t is currently reported that this
intrusion of German industries in Swift
Zerland is the reason of the manifesta-
tion of the romano and the German
Swiss to stand together in defense of
their common interests as well as
SwitZerland's neutrality.
Gil. CHAILLE-LONG.