THE BELEAGUERED SWISS
By DR. WILHELM WOLFGANG SCHUTZ
THE self-preservation of a small country surrounded by Axis territory represents a remarkable feat. Neutrality becomes in such a case a status the preservation of which demands sacrifices and determination hardly less severe than in the case of warring countries. This is particularly so in the field of economics in face of an expansionist terrorism trying to force the smaller nations of Europe into what is vaguely called the " New Order." Indeed, it seems hardly credible that an unobtrusive and comparatively powerless State like Switzerland should successfully maintain not only its political and intellectual independence, but also its economic integrity and self-determination. For the geographical situation of Switzerland is such that since the entry of Italy into the war and the conclusion of the French Armistice in the summer of 1940 all the frontiers adjoin, and therefore all the routes from and into Switzerland lead through, Axis territory ; only a small strip of coastline at the south-west corner of the Lake of Geneva borders on Vichy France.
This position imposes a multitude of vast problems upon Switzerland in economic spheres as well as simply in the task of keeping communications with the outside world. Already at the outbreak of War in September, 1939, Switzerland's im- portant line of communication with Great Britain, the Rhine, was closed by the Third Reich. Transit agreements were concluded with both Allied France and non-belligerent Italy, according to which the Swiss were permitted to use the harbours of Marseilles, Bordeaux, Genoa, Savona and Trieste, Fifteen Greek ships (of 136,000 tons) were chartered, and the belligerent nations were informed about their whereabouts and movements. But for the transport of British coal, which had been shipped till then by the Rhine, Seine-shipments and rail. transport had to be substituted: 90,000 tons of coal were captured by the invading German army, and discussion is still going on about their release. Other goods could not proceed through the Mediterranean, for the Italian refusal to allow Greek ships under the Swiss flag to sail to any of the registered harbours made it necessary for Switzerland to try to bring these goods overland from Lisbon via Spain and Vichy France. But the Spanish railways proved incapable of coping with additional transport, for Franco Spain is short of wagons. Some forty thousand tons of goods still wait to be moved from Lisbon.
These problems arise chiefly because Switzerland insists on maintaining her relations with the democratic countries. The Third Reich, immediately after its ships were driven from the high seas, charged its Swiss customer tremendous fees for those goods destined for Switzerland which had been trans- ported in these very ships, which had to take refuge in neutral harbours. Sums up to 20 per cent. of the value of the goods were demanded if the Swiss moved them from these Nazi vessels lying idly in harbour, and hard bargaining about them still continues. Yet the insistence of the country on maintaining its economic independence is stronger than the temporary advantages which might be obtained by falling in with the " New Order." The pressure upon Switzerland in this direction is, naturally, heavy. But as in the question of communications, the Swiss maintain in all other spheres of their national economy and international relations compete control of their own affairs.
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Since it is now becoming practically impossible to obtain the essential goods from England and other democracies which had been the main vendors of coal and petrol, still stronger efforts are being made in that " beleaguered fortress," as the Swiss call their little country, to become as far as possible independent of the outside world. They send their own wagons to foreign countries in order to obtain their loads there ; for in spite of assurances given as late as 1939 that the international practice of sending exports in the rolling-stock of the exporter would be recognised, these, like other promises by the " New Orderers " were soon repudiated. Inside the Swiss frontiers up to 8o per cent. of the railways are power- driven and the remainder are being gradually transferred from coal to electricity. The struggle for independence of coal and petrol is, however, only part of the tremendous effort which is being made to keep the country out of the Axis sphere of influence. Those raw materials which are vital for the main- tenance of Swiss industry are imported under an agreement providing that these goods shall not be re-exported unless they have been used in an industrial process. In the matter of pay- ments the Axis uses its power to strangle its small neighbour, so that the principle of payment is being abolished in favour of the principle of mutual exchange General pressure on the resources of the country is heavy, because the replacement of stocks which are now gradually being used up is becoming increasingly difficult owing to blockade, counter-blockade, and the general political tension. The natural consequence is a system of rationing of essentials as well as of other goods in short supply. Foodstuffs, fats, soap, leather-ware are rationed. Certain imports, such as sugar, hare been taken over by the Government. Steep rises in Price in consequence of rationing (for example a three- or four- fold increase for boots and shoes in certain stores), are being checked by public opinion, the Press and the police. But in spite of the efforts to keep prices down the cost of living has been rising constantly. Only rents stand at pre-war level. The general rise in prices is, in addition to the reasons stated, due to the cost of maintaining the army and bringing its equipment up to modern standards. The sum spent and proposed until the end of this year for this purpose will reach the astrono- mical figure (for Switzerland) of 2.8 milliards of francs, of which only a fraction can be secured through current taxation, such as an emergency tax for the express purpoie of keeping the army intact (" Wehropfer"). Side by side with the army Swiss gahorities now place agriculture as the means of keeping the country independent from its dangerous neighbours. Dr. v7ablen, the head of the Agricultural Section of the Swiss War Food Department, commanded wide support when he outlined a new War Agriculture Programme, now generally referred to as the " Wahlen Programme." Its aim is the ploughing up of all available land, so that in the course of the next three or four years Switzerland may become independent of imports. For this purpose about Ioo,000 men would be needed who would have to go back to the land. The difficulties in obtaining this agricultural labour out of the ranks of industrial labour are fully realised. The peasants themselves have offered full co-operation in this scheme. The army co-operates by re- leasing agricultural labourers from army service unless they are very urgently needed for defence purposes.
The spirit of co-operation on a voluntary basis is a factor which counts even more than the various official efforts at making the country independent of the outside world as far as possible. Important as it is that old iron- and coal-mines are worked again, that low-grade ores are being won, that artificial silk is being produced on a larger scale than before, that new power-stations on the Upper Rhine, the Aar and so on are being built or planned, all these efforts would avail little if the old democratic spirit of this little free country did not surge up in the midst of the dangers that surround it. Not only are all the peasant organisations supporting the policy of independence by offering their voluntary co-operation, but also the labourers have offered their share by asking to be accepted into the Government ("Bundesrat ") in a resolution passed by the Executive of the Swiss Trade Unions. The nation stands united in the defence of its liberty.
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