LIECHTENSTEIN'S PLIGHT.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 126, 29 May 1915, Page 10

LIECHTENSTEIN'S PLIGHT.

The little principality of Liechtenstein, with it 6 10,000 inhabitants, because it declared neutrality in the present war and also refused to send Austria a contingent of 1000 men, which was asked for, was boycotted by Austria and nearly starved. The Landtag appealed to the Swiss Government, and the latter sent seven wagon loads of cereals in haste, as the J|>opulation was on the verge of starvation. Relief in the shape of other forms of food followed Liechtenstein is one of tho tiny inde pendent States still surviving on the Continent. It is embedded in the Austrian frontier, being bounded on the N.E. and E. by the Tyrol, and on the W. by the Rhine, but on the S. it touches Swiss soil. Its area is only 65sq. miles, and its population about 10,000. It is a con* stitutional monarchy, and it is linked with Austria by the fact that is ruler is an Austrian prince. It has a Parliament, no army, and no taxes, but is included in the Austrian Customs Union. Tt ie a curious fact that when peace was declared between Prussia and Austria in 1866, Liechtenstein, which had sided with Austria, was forgotten, co that it has ever since been technically at war with Prussia.