SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 23 January 1917, Page 5

SWITZERLAND AND GERMANY.

TROUBLE BREWING. LONDON, Jan. 20. Speculation is rif e in London as to whether a Swiss invasion will be attempted by Germany. The rumours are associated with the political and diplomatic moves at Berlin. Count von Bethmann-Hollweg had his first secret conference with the Reichstag leaders yesterday. There will be a further conference next week. The Austrian Premier, Clanmartinic, had a conference with Count Bethmann-Hollweg in Berlin. Herr Zimmerman leaves Berlin for Vienna today. The presidents of the Parliaments of the Central Powers have arrived at Berlin. Hoefer, the Austrian Pood Dictator, who accompanies Premier Clanmartinic, has conferred with Batochi, German Food Dictator. It is understood that they discussed economic questions, and notably the Roumanian food captures. The German press alludes to the food problem with marked coldness. Berne reports that the Germans along the Rhine between Basle and Lake Constance are so many and so connected that they are there to attack Belfort or are part of a feint to induce France to strengthen her position in the Vosges whilwthe Germans make a sudden dash on the weakened front in Lorraine. Major Moraht in the “Berliner Tageblatt,” says the French possession of S)|flithern Alsace provides them with a sally port which is a grave menace to the German territory on the left bank of the Rhine. PARIS, Jan. 20. Commenting upon the German war expert’s insinuation that France contemplates an offensive from Belfort,. the “Echo dc Paris” suggests that Germany is using the alleged threat as an excuse for assembling men and material in Upper Alsace on the Swiss frontier. The paper adds that the excuse fails to explain Germany s new strategic railway at Basle, costing threeauarters of a million. ROME, Jan. 20. The “Giornalc d’ltalia” states that the Germans have ordered the inhabitants of the Alsatian villages on the Swiss frontier to evacuate their homes, and withdraw behind the Rhine, carrying all their foodstuffs. The Germans are concentrating heavily on the Alsatian borders of Lake Constance, presumably for use on the Trentino front. LONDON Jan. 20. The Swiss press estimates the German frontier concentration at 400,000. The Swiss authorities have further reinforced the frontier guards. SIGNIFICANT WARNING. T" LONDON, Jan. 21. The Zurich and Baden newspapers publish an identical note, warning the population against rumours about Swiss mobilisation, and threatening punishment to talkative persons for creating uneasiness. WASHINGTON, Jan 21. The Swiss Government has notified the Ambassador direct that all conditional peave is reservists is cancelled, and they will proceed home for mobilisation in three additional divis- ■ ions by the 24th. |