The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-10-13
'STOVALLTHINKS
GERMANY'SBACK
BONE Is BROKEN
Minister to Switzerland,
Called Home by Lansing.
Reports Situation Acute.
REVCLSION AGAINST WAR
Wilson Note a Revelation
Swiss I'm Need of Food
Supplies.

FleaSant A. Stovali, Minister to
Switzerland. brought word yesterday
| upon his return to this country after
four years spent In the centre Of Eu-
| ropes colossal struggle, that the back
! bone of German resistance has been
broken and that .he end IL approaching
President Wilson'S Indirect message
20 the kaiser's armies contained in his
reply to the Pope that the United
Statee is warning upon the German Gov
eminent and not upon the German peo-
! pie. has struck home. II do not say how
, soon the end will come" Minister Stovall
declared. hut l am convinced Germany
! Is on her las' decline
, Minister Stovail has observed the war
from the vantage ground Of neutral
Switzerland. hemmed IN completely by
helligc rent armies. For two years this ma =
tion Of 100000 has been n refuge for
prisoners taken by English. French and
German troops. these prisoners being
sent there by mutual agreement Of the
nations concerned TO receive hospital
care. In that time. through difficult
sea OF diplomacy. the Swiss have pre-
served their neutrality. and have earned
the appellation the Good Samaitans Of
Europe
Minister Stovall has been In posi-
ton to know more of the facts regarding
Germanys staying powers IN the con-
fi!ct than perhaps any other agent 81
| the Federal Administration. He was
! called home by Secretary lansing os-
tens!bly to urge that the Ini'ed St,tes
take steps to relieve the food shortage
in Switzerland. hut there will he ex-
ceptionul value in his report on the
ment
In the weeks Just preceding his de-
pa,ture from Perne the SwlTs cnpi.al.
a month ago Minister Stoval' observed
change in the attitude of the German
people toward the prosecution Of the
war. Though he quoted only the gen.
orally known facts of ReicNstag dis
putes and the growth OF Socialism In
the Dual Empire. he admitted that he
has other facts based on intimate
: knowledge of German economic condi-
, 'ions that substantiate his belief that
, Germany's greatest aggression is past.
Eject Of Wilson Note.
The effect OF President Wilson's note
w,s tremendous he eaid. TT struck
home to the German people in n re-
nar'-ab'e way" Tho envov said since
the uublicatiov Of that note the revulsion
against the war has been spreading
rapidly through the Kaisers hosts.
''Therc is no doubt about the economic
straits in which Germany now 1nds IL
GOLF" he said. ""rhe situation is acute, y
Until he reports to Secretary Lansing
MIR. Stovall will not elaborate these
statements.
OF Switzerland's part in giving com.
fort to prisoners Of all belligerents the
F, Diplomat had much to say In spite OF
| German. French and italian influence
SWISS nationality has been preserved
and force OF $50 900 men watches the
, borders constantly to prevent the pas.
sag Of contraband.
When French people were turned OUT
Of northern France and sought refuge
IN southern France they came through
Switzerland There they were cared
for. fed and comforted till they could
continue the journey.
"The sto-y Of Switzerland in this wal
Is one of the most remarkable ever re.
cord d." Minister Stoval said. "Theil
| WILLINGNESS to play the part of the Good
Samaritan. smothering the'r own preju
dces in the call OF nationalism. and the
exercise Of broad sympa,hes for the
wounded who were brought In to them
from three fronts. Is a notable chapter
OF history There are about rs 00(
prisoners. mostly French. but Englisf
and German too. now In Swiss hos
p'tals The Swiss people give enter
tainmtnts constantly for them, and ex
tend a'd wherever 1t is needed, Th'
hospitals are conducted by the Rec
Cross"
Paris More CheerfuI.
On the return trip Minister Stoval
visited Paris. talked with Gen PershrN
and saw American troops, The comtnl
Of tNe Americans has revivihed Paris
he said. There IL no longer the ap
pearaucc OF abject mourning tha
marked the city earlier In the war
There are many English and American
soldiers on the streets. and an air O
gavety Is prevalent.
In London. whore Minister Stoval
remained for nearly two weeks mum
ber OF German air raid, took place. Lon
don takes it's air raids as II does II
tea. ne said showing no alarm and dis
playing no particular interest. The frs
indication OF raid usually comes from
the fire OF TIVE anti-aircraft guns and ,
telephone call from the hotel Office an
nouncing an "air rad. you know SIR"
ha duytso