Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-23
SWISS PRESENT
VIEWS TO ALLIES
President Ador Brings
Formal Statement-Will
Meet Wilson Tonight
EXPECT PART in PEACE
Seek to Remain Permanent
Neutral and Desire Ac.
cess to the Sea
EXPECT PART in PEACE
By the Associated Press

Paris, Jan. 23.--The Presidents OF the
United States and Switzerland will meet
this evening at 7:30 o'clock. President
Gustav Ador, who arrived here from
Berne yesterday. will. before he meets
President Wilson, confer with Presi-
dent Poincare, Premier Clemenceau and
possibly Premier Lloyd George.
He comes TO Paris bearing an official
statement of the views of the Swiss
Government on pending international
questions. which will be laid before the
Peace Congress. The statement follows
zone. Switzerland expects TO be ad-
mitted. with other States, to the peace
negotiations as far as they will deal
with her own special interests or with
problems of general importance. En-
clusion from deliberations on problems
Of the League of Nations would be
considered by the Swiss people as incon-
sistent with the principles of democracy.
Neutral States not having been called
upon to make as heavy sacrifices as
belligerents, have. nevertheless suffered
severely in consequence of the war. All
have been able, especially in the case of
Switzerland, to render considerable scrN-
ice to humanity.
Swiss Favor League
Second. Switzerland highly approves
the creation OF a league of nations for
preserving peace, and expects from 1t a
complete reform of international rela-
TONS Consequently, the maintenance
of peace should not really depend upon
the observation of a procedure of in
quiry previous to a declaration of war,
but must be founded upon a general in
terdiction to parties in conflict not TO
resort to arms International conflicts
must, as far as their character allows,
be solved either by arbitration tribunals,
formed by the free consent of the par
ties, or else by a permanent interna-
tional court offering every guarantee of
political independence. All other inter
national disputes must be submitted TO
a procedure of mediation through which
lasting settlements on the basis of equity
and justice can be arrived at.
Third. Switzerland recognizes the
necessity for action. which may ulti-
mately consist OF military pressure
within the system of the league of ma
tions. Nevertheless, Switzerland is de-
termined not to abandon her neutrality,
which is laid down in the Swiss Consti-
tuition and based on the tradition OF
400 years of peaceful politics. This neu-
trality is necessary for Switzerland. con-
sidering the composition of her popula-
tion, as we'll as on account of her being
in a particularly exposed strategiCal po-
sition. In case armed conflict should
after ALL occur under the reigns of the
league of nations, the existence of tbs
several permanently neutral and invio
liable States would be a great benefit alsc
for the league itself The institution o
the Red Cross must be based on the eX
istence of such neutral territory If /
is to be able TO entirely fulfill its task.
Fourth. Freedom of production an,
commerce is of vital Importance fo
Switzerland. The Swiss people hop
peace will re-establish the principle o
commercial freedom. As far as limita
tions will be imposed concerning i'm
portation. expectation and free passag
OF goods and raw materials, all State
should mutually accord each other mos
favored national treatment.
Fifth. Switzerland. as a iandlocket
country. mainly dependent upon II
share of the worlds commerce. highl
approves of the principle of free acCes
to the sea. First of ALL Switzerland at
tributes great Importance 10 the main
tenance and improvement of the exist
ing international waterway of tn
Rhine from Basel 10 the North Sea
switzerland fully expects, besides, ina
\ 1t will soon be possible to come TO al
understanding with France and Italy 70
opening the Rhene and Po-Ticino River
for navigation on a big scale, and oh
tain recognition of similar principles re
garding these rivers, as are in vogue 70
already internatiOnalized waterways.
also is of vital interest TO Switzerlan
to obtain the right Of passage over rail
roads TO the sea and through Europea
States eastward.
sixth. The political, legal and eco
nomic principles formulated by Pres
dent Wilson are so entirely in conformit
with the traditional wants Of Switzer
land that she will adhere 10 them, what
ever difficulties may lie in the way {
their realization"