SWISS MISSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 68, 22 March 1938, Page 7

SWISS MISSION.

POSITION IN EUROPE.

Independence and Neutrality

Proclaimed

WORK FOR UNDERSTANDING

United Press Association.—Copyright.

(Received 12.30 p.m.)

BERNE, March 21

Switzerland's independence and neutrality were again solemnly proclaimed by the Government at a crowded meeting of Parliament when a declaration Avas.read in German, French* and Italian. They asserted that while the cessation of Austria's independence wae farreaching and important, the recent change in the European political map cannot weaken the political situation of Switzerland, whose independence and neutrality are more than ever indispensable to the maintenance of European equilibrium. "Solemn assurances in this direction have been given us from all sides, and their value cannot be questioned. None of our three neighbours can desire or welcome the disappearance of Switzerland, and none of them threatens the democratic institutions which form one of the essential reasons Tor the existence of the Swiss Confederation, whose mission is to guard all Alpine passes. "Switzerland thus shelters vital parts of her neighbours' frontiers. The desire of the Swiss people to carry out their mission to keep their independence will be respected at the cost of shedding their blood, and is unanimous and un° shakalv;-. "Switzerland remains aloof from foreign quarrels. Any attack on our territory would be an abominable crime against the law of nations. Our efforts to have our complete neutrality recognised must be continued and brought to fruition, and any possible doubt on this objective removed. "We must strive to correct friendly relat.ons of each of our neighbours, and to the same extent let us prove that Swiss democracy is a working regime of liberty, and that nothing can shake our Federal solidity." Subsequently all political parties issued a manifesto unanimously asserting that the Swiss, without distinction of ra-e, creed or party, are ready to defend their territory to the last'drop of blood.