The Daily News. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1917. THE SWISS FRONTIER.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 January 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JANUARY 23, 1917. THE SWISS FRONTIER.

'lI'C latest sensation connected with the Gc.inan movements is the concentration of troops on the Swiss frontier, along the Rhine between Basle and Lake Constance. Exactly what this threat e.gaiust Switzerland means is shrouded in mystery, but it has been ingeniously stated by German authorities that l-'rancc contemplates an offensive (run. Btlfort, whereupon it became necessary Tor Germany, not only to mass forces en the frontier, but to build a military lailway to Basle, the cost of which is estimated at three-quarters of a million sterling. Naturally the Swiss are a:armcd at this formidable menace to Iter neutrality, and in view of the fact that the modus operandi adopted by ihe Germans relative to Switzerland is, though on a very minor scale, similar to that which ushered in the war, the Swiss may well fear that an invasion io threatened. It is quite possible that .tins Teutonic demonstration on the I SwißS border may be a prelude to busij itess as rash as the offensive on Verdim, biit most unbiased authorities will | doubtless be of opinion that a surprise j irtve by way of Switzerland is out of [ the question. It is also possible Unit 'lie. manoeuvre may be directed towards obtaining a back-door opening should a sudden compulsory retirement be imperative. It is manifest that an invasion of Switzerland would not only extend the German line, but would take far more troops tlian the enemy enn :-pare. The close observer of the conduct of the war cannot fail to notice (hat there are various storm signals ap--1 carent on the West front. The Pr.:ss Bureau states that Mr. Lloyd George »nd his colleagues in tlie War Cabinet conferred with Generals jSTivello ana Haig recently, obviously in regard io the coining onslaught against the Germans on the West front. The ,'Jwisi Government, distrusting. German promises apparently, have ordered the mobilisation of three divisions by the 2-U-h TJ e proclamation expresses the utmost ."influence in the intentions of tlie belligerents towards Swiss neutrality, but nevertheless precautions are evidently deemed necessary. Still, there should very little danger of a violation of Swiss neutrality. It would b'o mere madness, and Hiridenburg has sun enough of the results of such folly in | ilio case of Belgium. It would add a I quarter of a million of fairly eflkiI ent militia to the armies of Germany's | enemies, and add considerably to ihe | length of frontier which she would have, i to defend. It would unify (he Italian and Anglo-French fronts, and before the enemy had fought their way far among | the Swiss mountains they would lind the resistance stiffened by French and | I,'alian troops. As Colonel Fey lor, .the I Swiss military expert, points out, tlie Italian and Anglo-French forces couil .'unction through the Rhone Valley anj the Simplon Pass, and, even if the | Swiss were overwhelmed beforo the aril rival of the Allies, the Germans would

have to force the passage of the Alpino defiles leading to the Lombardy Plain and the eastern French plateau. The best way for the Allies to meet all Mich possibilities, however, is to take the iiitiativo and to get in their blow ahead 0/ Jlindcnburg. In all probability the Allied offensive in the late spring will comprise a forward move ip Alsa«, for the troops Holding the lines in the Yrsges and Alsaee are reported to be Within twenty miles of the Rhine, w.iitir.g for the moment when they will fa',l upon the German rear and flank. The idea of the (icrmans contemplating to reach Paris by way of Switzerland is 100 wild for acceptance. Cieriuany will 'lave more than she enn manage \vhe:r l-,e Allied offensive starts without Invoking the hostility of tlje Swiss, for though the latter's armed force is small, it counts for nuich when tire odds are already hoavy against the Germans. It would seem that Germany is taking a precautionary measure that may bs of service in two; ways, but none (lie ies? is it necessary to prepare for a sr.;prise, or rather to anticipate Garman action by means of a vigorous offensive. Every day her position is becoming more desperate, so that the Allies must be prepared accordingly.