WEST FRONT AND SWITZERLAND.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 249, 9 February 1917, Page 1 (Supplement)

WEST FRONT AND SWITZERLAND.

Interest in West front operations to- | day centres in the curious position tint j seems to bo arising with regard to Switzerland. Among all tho messages that | have been sent relating thereto, only , two facts stand out —that the Germans : are concentrating troops down in tho ; corner where tho Gorman, Swiss and , French frontiers meet, and that the j Swiss are very much alarmed. About : a fortnight ago, before the present | excitement developed, France formali.v j informed Switzerland that sh.e would j respect Swiss neutrality. The London ! "Observer" said: "This declaration is designed to meet beforehand any subterfuge for a German violation of Swiss neutrality, such as was devised by Germany after she had violated the neutrality of Belgium." Thereupon, Germany gave Switzerland a similar assurance. In spite of these assurances, Switzerland has shown the keenest anxiety. Doubtless Swiss fears have be', n played upon by many wild rumours such as might be excited by the recent mysterious utterance of the " Cologne Gazette." which asked wTiat would happen to Switzerland if Germany were obliged to make war with redoubled vigour. Germany, of course, will not trouble about morality, or treaties, or the rights of nations: nothing will weigh with her but military considerations. Switzerland, to a great extent, is a huge German workshop, supplying Germany with munitions, manufactured goods and workmen. She also provides Germany wit.: one of the fewgateways siie has to the outer world. Germany lias to decide whether tho gaining of a difficult road through mountainous country, on to well-warn-ed France and Italy, and tho rousing of a few but extremely ferocious people against her, would compensate her for the loss of the advantages stated. There is no doubt that Switzerland would fight, even although two-thirds of her people speak O-erman; and the :t,S(K),<MM) inhabitants could immediately provide an army rf 200.000 men. On present information, it f.eems more likely that the Germans are concentrating along the line of the Hlnno to create a diver-ion on the West front. Perhaps they will attempt to drive the French out of Alsace —the greater portion of which they now hold —or are preparing to nevt an impending French attack tlrongh Alsace, for which the general strategical position has been considered favourable. —Sydney ''.Morning Her?lf!.''