The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-13
ENEMY TO KILL
SWISS TRADE
Demands Only German Coal
Be Used in Making Articles
for Export.
REPRISALS ARE EXPECTED
Allies Will Not Suffer Sc
verely. as They Can Buy
Elsewhere.
REPRISALS ARE EXPECTED
f.. etal Catle Despa'ch to THE St. from the
London Times

f.. etoi Catle Despa.ch to The St. from the
London Times
Copyright. 1915: oil rigAts veserred
BERNE. May : (delayed).-The de-
mands Of Germany made in the course
Of the negotiations for a renewed eco
nomic agreement with Switzerland are
arousing tho keenest anxiety in this
country Part Of 1t regards the first
and most important German demand.
which Is that German coal shall be
utilized In the manufacture OF any
articles exported to the Allies. This
stipulation. while having a disastrous
effect upon a large number OF Swiss in
dustries. will have little upon the inter
eats Of the Alice. since the lattor can
60 elsewhere.
The chief industry that will be az
fected will be metallurgical manufac-
lures. which may be almost ruined IL the
Ewiss do not obtain concessions. There
can be little doubt that the real aim Of
the Germans is to kill Swiss industry,
which will compete with their own out
put after the war. The German de-
mand respecting coal will mean the
setting up of an immense blacklisting
system for discriminating against Swiss
Arms which work for the Allies. This
inevitably will provoke reprisals by the
Allies, which probably will take the
form Of preventing goods from the Allies
reaching the hands Of any Germans in
this country.
Small Gains for Germans.
Thus while the Germans will be hit
ting the Swiss the Allies will hit the
Germans In Switzerland. 1t is dihicult
to sec how the Germans will gain by
this. Meanwhile the Germans appar-
emily are immovable in their determine
ton to double the price Of coal.
In regard to tho second demand for
a German-Swiss economic control So
c!ety, exactly similar to the present En-
tente society. imitation is the most sim
cere form Of hattery. since 1t indicates
the effectiveness OF our organization. II
the Germans insist upon the complete
cessation OF all exports to the Allies
either manufactured or Of German raw
| material, the Allies undoubtedly Will
reply by abolishing the provisions OF
their existing agreement which permits
! the export to Germany OF certain Swiss
goods under defined conditions.
There is a growing feeling In this
country against the acceptance OF Ger
many's unjustihable demands. Never
has the German pressure upon Switzer'
land been so intolerable. and 1t car
only bc hoped that the Swiss Govern
ment will know hbw to maintain It's
.conomic independence by refusing de-
mands of 20 far reaching a character
Economic Questions Debated.
Meanwhile, representatives Of the
Swiss Government and Of the Allies have
been negotiating upon numberof eco
nomic questions and satisfactory set
t,ement has been reached upon ever!
| mint without friction. No correspond
ire demands we're made by the Alliei
upon Switzerland.
Were the Allies to adopt polio,
.,mi,ar to that OF Germany they woult
allow no bread manufactured from i'm
norted -four 20 be used In factories work
ing for Germany and would allow M
raw material to enter Switzerland un
less II was paid for by como kind o.
compensation.
switzerland always has endeavoret
IN abide loyalty to her agreements will
tho Allies. 1t Is hoped that the latte
will, endeavor to come to her assistance
in her moment Of stress