Evening star., 1938-07-24
SWISS RED0UBLE
DEFENSE EFFORTS
Preparations Accelerated
Since AuStro-Reich
AnschIusS.
BY c. L. SULZBERGER.

ny ~ II.
ZURICH, July % (N.A.NAD.-The
tiny mountain republic of Switzer-
land. intent on maintaining its in
dependence, come what may, is re-
doubling efforts to make itself safe
from possible acts of aggression on
the part of its warlike neighbors.
Preparations for national defense,
which have been considerably stepped
up during the last two years, have
again been accelerated since the Aus
tro-German "Anschluss" and the re-
curing threats on Czechoslovakia.
The Swiss are also concerned over
the current activity of the Italians
in Building an air ferry or galloway.
to the top of Theodul Pass, 1,000-fee
altitude. the lowest pass in the chain
between the Matterhorn and Monte
Rosa.
Sparing No Efforts.
Switzerland is sparing no endeavors
to make ready for the repulson of
any form of attack. There is no ques-
ton about popular support, which is
marked by new chauvinism among
the traditionally non-fanatical Swiss
Best evidence of national feeling may
be exemplif1ed in declaration.
unanimously approved by Parliament
shortly after the "Anschluss," which
said, in part
The Swiss people are united in the
determination to defend at any cost,
to the last breath and against any,
one, the incompatible country which
is theirs by Gods will
OF the mountainous frontier, two
thirds is new faced by militant Ger
many and italy The entire frontier
is about l.13l miles in length. OF
this, 424 miles faces Italy and 800 is
opposite Germany. More than a
quarter of that sector formerly faced
Austria, then regarded as peaceful
and non-aggreSsive nation.)
Talk OF the possibility of war is
constantly in the air. There is popu-
lar fear that German invasion of
France might be directed through the
region of the Juras, around Basel. in
order to avoid the Maginot line of
defenses. However the Swiss general
staff, while admitting that Basel is
difficult to defend, points out that an
army seeking passage through that
sector would move the entire Swiss
militia of probably 100000 upon its
left flank.
Measures Being Taken.
These are among the measures now
being taken to repel possible attack:
/. 1t is generally expected the next
session of Parliament will extend mill
tary service. There is no standing
army in Switzerland but every able
bodied man must serve for a time in
the militia and is subject to call. At
present citizens attend recruiting
school for three months at the age
OF l9 and then do three-week service
periods annually for seven years. The
recruiting school term may be ex-
tended to eight months.
2. 1t is understood the Swiss gov
ernment is now negotiating with
large American manufacturer of
bombing planes to buy new fighting
airplanes
3. The army is being mechanical.
One hundred motorized anti-aircraft
batteries are being formed and the
supply of tanks is being increased,
although tanks are of little use in
mountainous terrain.
4. The special frontier guards are
hpin6 pi1aI
zens have received special training.
Every Swiss soldier takes home his
gun and uniform after his term of
duty each year. The frontier guards
have munitions caches in their VIII
lagos, machine gun emplacements,
land mines, etc.
Stores Raw Materials.
5. The government is now laying
up stocks Of raw materials and mu-
nitions. Warehouses are secretly being
built in the more inaccessible regions
near Luzern. Gasoline tanks have
been constructed in protected areas"
and the huge gas supplies formerly
stored at Basel. where the French
dHo SeiHldH lIoilIlclS converge, are
being moved.
6. The large Swiss gold supplies
are being moved inland Because of
fear that Germany might make bold
grab for this gold, bullion has been
removed from the vaults of the Ma
tional Bank at Zurich and is supposed
to be stored in vault near Gothard
and at Berne
7. The Austrian frontier is being
strengthened. New tunnels and COM
munications are being built out to the
cantons of Graubunden and Grison,
whose roads are now close to the
frontier
8. Along the Italian frontier. it is
reported that new pillbox fortresses