Republican farmer., 1919-01-24

"1-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. Ex- clusion from deliberations on prob lems of the League of Nations would be considered by the Swiss people as inconsistent with the principles of democracy. Neutral states, not hay ing 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 case of Switz- erland, to render considerable ser vice to humanity.
 "2-Switzerland highly approves of the creation of a League of Nations for preserving peace, and expects from 1t a complete reform of inter- national relations Consequently, the maintenance of power should not really depend upon the observation of a procedure of inquiry previous to a declaration of war, but must be founded upon a general interdiction 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 parties or Is by a permanent interna- tional court offring every guarantee of political independence. All other international disputes must be sub
 nitted to a procedure of mediation, through which lasting settlements on the basis of equity and justice can be
 "3-Switzerland recognizes the necessity for actions which may ulti- mately consist of military pressure within the system of the League of Nations. Nevertheless, Switzerland is determined not to abandon her neu- trality, which is laid down in the Swiss constitution and based on the tradition of 400 years of peaceful politics. This neurality is necessary for Switzerland, considering the com position of her population as well on account of her being In an particu- larly exposed strategical position. In case armed conflict should, after all, occur under the reign of the League of Nations, the existence of the sev- eral permanently neutral and in- violable states would be great bene- 1 fit also for the League itself. The | institution of the Red Cross must be | based on the existence of such neu- tral territory if 1t is to be able to entirely fulfill it's task.
 "4-Freedom of production and commerce is vital importance for Switzerland. The Swiss people hope peace will re-establish the principle of commercial freedom. As far as | limitations will be imposed concern ing importation, exportation and free | passage of goods. and raw materials, all states should mutually accord each other most-favored nation treatment
 '6---SwitEerland as Iand-locked country mainly dependent upon it's share of the worlds commerce, highly approves of the principle of free aa- cess to the sea- First of all, Switzer- land attributes great importance 10 the maintenance and improvement S' the existing international waterway
 of the Rhine from Basic to the Norm
 Sea. Switzerland fully expects h.- sides, that it will soon be possible ..S come to an understanding with Franc and Italy for opening the Rhine ana lPo-Ticino rivers for navigation on a big scale, and obtain recognition of siInilar principles regarding these riy-
 CTS as are in vogue for already inter-
 nationalized waterways. It is also of
 vital interest to Switzerland to ob-
 tain the right of passage over rail-
 roads to the sea and through European states eastward.
 "6--The political, legal and eco
 homie principles formulated by Pres
 ident Wilson are so entirely in con
 formity with the traditional wants of
 Switzerland that she will adhere to
 them, whatever difficulties may lie in ! the way of their realization"