SWISS NEUTRALITY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 151, 23 March 1938, Page 11

SWISS NEUTRALITY

Solemn Proclamation By Government DEMOCRATIC IDEAL Independence Essential To European Stability By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Berne, March 21. Switzerland’s independence and neutrality were solemnly reproclaimed by the Government at a crowded meeting of Parliament when a declaration was read in German, French and Italian. It asserted that while the cessation of Austria’s independence is of farreaching importance, the recent change in the European political map cannot weaken the political situation in Switzerland, whose independence and neutrality are more than ever indispensable for the maintenance of European equilibrium. “Solemn assurances in that regard,” it is stated, “have been given to us from all sides, and their value cannot be questioned. None of our three neighbours can desire or welcome the disappearance of Switzerland. None of them threatens the democratic institutions which form one of the essential reasons for the existence of the Swiss Confederation whose mission is to guard all the alpine passes. Switzerland thus shelters vital parts of her neighbours' frontiers. The desire of the Swiss people to carry out their mission and keep their" independence respected, at a cost of shedding their blood, is unanimous and unshakeable. 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 about it removed. We must strive for correct aud friendly relations with 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, the political parties issued a manifesto unanimously asserting that the Swiss, without distinction, race, creed, or party, are ready to defend their territory to the last drop of blood.