SWITZERLAND'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS ENGLAND.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
Sin,—I observe that in the Spectator of March 3rd, among the four European countries whom you mention as forming exceptions to the rest who are "greatly saddened" at our recent successes in South Africa, you include Switzerland. It is true that a, small minority of the more enlightened and intel- ligent Swiss is on the side of England, among whom such men as M. Neville, author of "La Question (In Transvaal" (an English translation of which pamphlet has recently been issued by Blackwood). and a Geneva Professor, who, under the signature of " Un Vieux Suisse," is the writer of "Le Droit des Anglais," are conspicuous. The Bibliothique Universelle, a high - class monthly review, published at L tusanne, has also in its February number a well-written article, " Anglais et Boers an Sad de l'Afrique," condem- natory of the Boer methods and policy and supporting those of the English. But the fact remains that Switzerland taken as a whole is strongly, almost virulently, in favour of the Boers and opposed to the British. In Lausanne two of the three dailies are violently anti-English, while the third adopts a neutral attitude. In Zurich the anti-English feeling is so strong that a number of citizens of that canton have published an "Appeal" (enclosed) in behalf of England to their fellow Swiss, in which they preface their remarks by stating that " they observe with increasing uneasiness that public opinion in their country is being more and more influenced by the bitterest enemies of England in Germany and France." In Geneva a shop-window may be seen filled with illustrated postcards portraying a Boer standing with uplifted sjambok over a prostrate British soldier, while in the background the English troops are fleeing before a Boer attack. Beneath are the words (in German) : " Hail and victory to the Boers ! " I forbear to specify numerous instances of rudeness and petty spite shown towards English residents here by the Swiss inhabi- tants in their intense irritation at our successes. Such straws, however, help to indicate the direction of the wind. Nor is the present attitude of the Swiss towards us merely an outcome of their feelings in regard to the Boer War. Switzerland shares to a large extent (as a resident of several years, like myself, comes to learn) in the jealous dislike to England that has animated other Continental countries long before this war was thought of ; and it is time that the British nation should disabuse itself of the widespread delusion that the Swiss are a friendly people to whose im- partial judgment they can safely entrust questions of arbi- tration and the like. Such a feeling is natural in considera- tion of the way in which England has treated Switzerland in the past, and of her kindly disposition towards her in the present; but it is none the less built upon a misapprehension of the true facts of the case.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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