LIECHTENSTEIN

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 April 1916, Page 3

LIECHTENSTEIN

IN A DIFFICULT POSITION. The little independent principality of Liechtenstein lying between lustria, the Rhine and Switzerland, lias not been heard of since the war. ..ts independence insures for its inhabitants freedom from taxation and military service, but this has not prevented them from feeling the effects of the war severely in many other ways, fhe Swiss papers hare recently called attention to the plight of the 11,000 persons who are cut off from all ciimmunic&tion with Austria, a country to which they are bound by numerous ties. The prince who rules over them lives in Vienna and apparently pays little attention, to his subjects. The Drei Schwestern mountain range Hes between Liechtenstein''and Austria, and since there are no roads through t>he districts and the inhabitants are forbidden to maie use of the paths which cross the frontier, they hnd tliemsel ves nut off from their source of food supplies. For many montl s bakers and butchers have had to shu; down. In these circumstances the n habitants turned to Switzerland 'or help. This country, though having barely sufficient tor its own need*, agreed to provide bread, at the rate of two pounds per person per day, an . meat at the rate of two pounds po household per day. on. condition thai the inhabitants came and fetched, tliprov'sions themselves. The people, wtoose occupations are mostly agricul trral depend very much on cattle rais ing for a living. Owing, however, -r the. necessity of preserving their own herds, they have not been able to soli any animals for several months, witn the result that only a few familito-. in easy oiroumstancee can afford (."> send for their meat to the other side of the Rhine. Petrol, too, Is very eoaroe and dear, and the inhabitant have to content themselves with cand left for lighting purposes.