SWISS IN TOILS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 229, 26 September 1940, Page 6

SWISS IN TOILS.

"NEW ORDER" RULE.

COLLABORATION WITH AXIS.

Recent developments in Europe have suddenly confronted the people of Switzerland with the fact that they are virtually at the mercy of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, wrote the Berne correspondent or the "Christian Science Monitor" in August. vSince the fall of France these two powerful neighbours have only to block trade with Switzerland to place the little Republic in dire straits.

Switzerland, therefore, has found it necessary to fall in with the "new order" on the Continent. Tlie Swiss "new order" was announced to the country by President Pilet-Golaz in a radio speech on June 25. It was made clear that Switzerland intends to collaborate wholeheartedly with the Axis Powers for the "reconstruction" of Europe. The President declared that his Government would accept an "economic adaptation." That is, it would offer 110 objection to reorganisation along the linee of the Nazi economy now in course of preparation "by the former chief of the Reicbbank, Dr. Hjalm'ar Schacht. Switzerland, in short, is to become totalitarian in so far as its institutions and ethnical structure will allow.

"The Government," said tlie President, "will no longer be able to explain and justify its decisions," for "events nowadays happen quickly." It will, therefore, not confide in the Press, and the Press, if not muzzled, will at least be kept in the dark. Neither will Parliament be entrusted with vital matters of State. The Government will issue its decrees, and speeches in Parliament will be curbed.

"Greater Unity" and No "Ease." On the social plane, the President announces measures clearly inspired by the Fascist methods. The Swiss people will have to give up "ease," accept a ■greater "solidarity," suppress , unemployment entirely. The social formula of Fascism or National-Socialism will be introduced in a large measure. This is what is meant 'by a "greater unity." The President has been obliged to express himself carefully. He wanted to be understood in Berlin and in Home, and Italian Press comments seem to show that in Italy, at least, he has. But he avoided the word "corporations,"' which to many Swiss ears would sound too foreign.

Ho lias also to deal with the greatest care in the problem of "unity," since the Swiss State is a Confederacy combining people speaking four different languages, and widely divided by religion. Too much unity would bring breakdown.

The "unity" programme will he carried rather on social than political lines. The cantons will continue.

It must be confessed, however, that they will probably Jose a great deal of autonomy. The "new order" can be car. ried out,' from the constitutional point of view, only because "full powers" were granted to the Federal Council last September.

A Bewildered People. Some papers, notably the "Neue Zurcher Zeitung," the "Gazette de Lausanne," and the "Geneva La Suisse," ihave repeatedly insisted that Switzerland is and will remain a democracy.

The Socialist Press, however, approves of the new 'social programme. The opposition becomes thus a; Government supporter, while criticism, though mild, comes from the reputedly official Press. Many are frankly bewildered. The people are ready to support the Government in order to save the country in the present European plight. But they still recoil 'before some of the sacrifices, they do not want to give up some of their ways of thinking and living. What is now happening in Switzerland is in many respects similar to internal events in Yugoslavia, Hungary and Sweden. But in Switzerland ft assumes peculiar forms. It is easier for the Swiss State to become authori-t.-rTnn because Parliament cannot oblige the Government to resign. But tlie demoer. . • tradition has been rooted deep in the minds of the Swiss people by a regime 600 years old.