The Meta-Encyclopedia

Switzerland

3 of the 7 encyclopedias on this shelf carry an entry for Switzerland. Both are reproduced below, so you can see where they agree and where they differ.

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

2026 Editor's Note: This page uses language about other peoples, religions, or nationalities that was commonplace when the book was published and is offensive by today's standards. The text has been left exactly as it was printed, rather than cut or softened, so that the historical record — including how ordinary such language once was — is preserved. (Ed: ET 2026-07-22) a federal republic of Central Europe; bounded N. by Alsace- Lorraine and Ba Baden, from which it is separated for the most part by the (Rhine; N. E. by Württemberg and Bavaria, from which it is separated by the Lake of Constance; E. by Austria and the principality of Liechtenstein, from which it is separated by the Rhine and the Grisons Alps; S. by Italy and France, from which it is separated by the Alps and the Lake of Geneva; and W. and N. W. by France, from which it is separated in part by the Jura Mountains, the Doubs river and Lake Geneva; greatest length, 210 miles; greatest breadth 126 miles. It is composed of 25 cantons and demi-cantons, represented in the government by 189 deputies. The constitution of 1848, revised May 29, 1874, transformed the federation of States into a federal State. The largest largest cities are Geneva, Zürich, Basel, and Berne, the last being the capital (pop. 112,200); total area, 15,976 square miles; pop. about 3,940,000; revenues (1920) 281,400,000 francs. Physical Features. The characteristic physical features of Switzerland are its lofty mountain ranges, enormous glaciers, magnificent lakes, and romantic valleys. The loftiest mountain chains belong to the Alps, and are situated chiefly in the S. The central nucleus is Mount St. Gothard, which unites the principal watersheds of Europe, and sends its waters into four large basins, N. by the Rhine to the German Ocean, S. W. by the Rhone to the Mediterranean, S. E. by the Po to the Adriatic, and E. by the Danube to the Black Sea. In like manner it forms a kind of starting point for the loftiest ranges of the Alps the Helvetian or Lepontine Alps to which it belongs itself; the Pennine Alps which include Mount Blanc, the culminating point of Europe, beyond the Swiss frontiers in Savoy; and the Rhætian Alps which stretch E. and N. E. across the canton of Grisons into Tyrol. Besides the Alps, properly so called, the only range deserving of notice is that of the Jura, which is linked to the Alps by the small range, the Jorat. Owing to the mountainous nature and the inland position of the country none of the rivers acquire such a size within its limits as to become of much navigable importance. The Rhine, formed by two head streams in the canton of Grisons, flows N. into the Lake of Constance, Constance, and thence W. to Schaffhausen, where it forms the celebrated falls of that name. begins. Its principal affluent in Switzerland is the Aar. The Rhone, rising in the Rhone glacier (Valais), flows N. W. into the Lake of Geneva. Immediately after issuing from the lake at the town of Geneva it receives the Arve, and about 10 miles below leaves the Swiss frontier. The waters which the Po receives from Switzerland are carried to it by the Ticino; those which the Danube receives are carried to it by the Inn. The largest lakes, that of Geneva in the S. W. and of Constance in the N. E., as well as that of Maggiore on the S. side of the Alps, belong partly to other countries; but within the limits of Switzerland, and not far from its center, are Lake Neuchâtel, with Morat and Bienne in its vicinity, Thun, with its feeder, Brienz, Lucerne or Vierwaldstätter see, Sempach, Baldegg, Zug, Zürich, and Wallenstätter see. All these internal lakes belong to the basin of the Rhine. Geology and Minerals. All the loft iest Alpine ranges have a nucleus of granite, on which gneiss and mica-slate recline generally at a high angle. Coalbearing strata are found in the cantons of Valais, Vaud, Freiburg, Bern, and Thurgau, and brown coal is obtained in St. Gall and Zürich. Iron is worked to advantage in several quarters, particularly among the strata connected with the Jura limestone. Rock and common salt are produced to some extent in the cantons of Vaud, Basel, and Aargau. The only other minerals deserving of notice are alabaster and marble, widely diffused, and asphalt, in the Val-de- Travers, in the canton of Valais. Mineral springs occur in many quarters. Climate and Agriculture. Owing to differences of elevation the climate is extremely variable even in the same localities. Owing to the same cause, few countries in Europe even of larger extent can boast of a more varied vegetation than Switzerland. In regard to vegetation it has been divided into seven regions. The characteristic product of the first is the vine, which grows up to 1,700 or 1,800 feet above the sea-level. The next is the hilly or lower mountain region, rising to the height of 2,800 feet, and characterized by the luxuriance of its walnut trees, with good crops of spelt and excellent meadows. The third or upper mountain region which has its limit at 4,000 feet, produces forest timber, more especially beech, an and has good crops of barley and oats, and excellent pastures. Above this, and up to the height of 5,500 feet, is the fourth or subalpine region, distinguished by its pine forests and maples; here no regular 8° B 7° A 6° レ Breisach Furtwangen ES Neu-Breisach Freiburg Rhone-Rhine Canal Neustadt Gebweiler G E R S 40 25 30 EL 35 St. Amarin 20 15 10 5 0 0 Staufen SCHWAA SCALE OF KILOMETERS Neuenburg 70 60 40 50 30 20 05 10 St. Blasien o Rhin Kandern Mulhausen Important towns are shown in heavy face type Zell Canals Railways Belfort Waldshut Capitals of Cantons Dinkel B. Lorrach Altkirch Basel Klingna R Montbeliard Gr. Laufenburg Endingen. Stilli Jacob Rheinfelden Stein Pfirt Liestal Frick Turgi Doncourt Bonfole Rougemont ttg Brugg ck Sissach Herzach Montbozon Dorneck -Kl. Lützel Schiuznach o E Alle Laufen Porrentruy Oignon Lostori Karar geitenbach Ziefen Lützel Soyrieres Clerval Waldenburg Eptingen Courgenay Kigney amvant R Suhr St. Ursanne Dedemont Lenzburg R Courroux Langenbrück Olten, RGAU Seenger SOLOTHURN Aarburg St.Hippolyte Doubs Gloveller Unt. Kulm Hdlwiller Grandval Balsthal Moutler C Legler St. Braiz (Munster) Welschenrohry Nd: Bipp Niederwil Saignelegier Zofingen Reinach Reinach Murl Moron Reiden M Tramelan Chindon Wiedlisbach Aare Aarwangen Moren Linden Pierre Fontaine Vestncom Noirmo R. Sonnen B 17 Wangen Langenthal) Dagmersellen Tavannes Selzach Balu S. ense Münster es Bois Grenchen Courtelary Kriegstetten Oberizell Willisau Sempack S. Sempach Buchegg Bienne Convers Aargau Chaux-de-F Eschenbach Ornang Buren N B Winigen Twann Kirchberg Nidau L1884 Huttwil LUCERNE Dombresson, Neuveville L. Bienne Doubs le en-d Fraubrunnen Ruswil Heimiswil Wolhusen Meggen Lucerne Luthern Markt Malterg Hindelbank, Valangin Landeron Burgdorf chAarberg Erlach Sumiswald Entlebuer Chaux-du-MUNEUCHATELS VZollikofen Krauchthavo Trachselwal O Kriens L.of Munchenbuchsee Wohlen B o Levier Jus Ponts Neuchatel Kerzers R Travers Boudry R NSchüpfheim Mt. Pilatus Concise 1 of Neuchate Cudrefin refin Lion Morat BERNE Muri Walkringen Langnau entnt Motiers t Apnach Lovaix Worb Pontarlich Murten Konizoa Sarnen Kerius venches Gaaner Laupen Chlorat Signatu les Verzieres Fleurier Escholzmatt la Riviere Tandoor Neuenegg Belp UNTERWALDEN Mt. Aubert Konolfingen Eggiwilo A Mt. Chasseron Marbach Giswilo Sachseln Estavayer. Schwarzenburg Kiesen o Ste.Croix Diessbach Rothenbach Schangnau Rudenz Corcelles Cheyres eyres Parerne Melchthal Grandsono Tafers Rueggisberg Granges Cottens Tibourg Wattenwil Guggisberg Sorenberg Lungern Steffisburg Hokgant Nozeroy verdon Yvonand Lungern Thun Rothberg Cottens (Freiburg) Brienz Orbe Donnelayep Ballais Merligen Habkern Meiringen / Henniez Farvagny le Grand Ottenleuebad Chavornay Lucens L.Brienz Arnez Romont Bercher Ochsen Oberha eltwald ash Roche Unterseen Moudon FRIBOURG le Sprezo Thun la Sarraz aulruz Bulle Corbieres Scha Bimme R. Erlenbach Interlaken L.de J Echallens Grindelwald Diemtigen Leissiger Nd le Sent Carouge Cossonay R Charmey Boltigen Simmen Wetterhorn Rue Thal Reichenbach VA le Br Meziares Paquiero Montendre Pampigny Bussigny Lauterbrunnen SSchreckhorn Ober Frutigen a Kienthal Cheseaux Gruyeres Biere St. Martin Semsales Mt. Moleson P Zweisimmen Elger Mönch Mürren t.Georges Simmen Tha Lausanne Chatel St. Denis Hundsrück Oberwaldo Aubonne 2 Wittwe Lutry Burtigny Rolle Albeave Jungfrau Finsteraarhorn St.Sulpice Le Saanen Montiovon 0 OF GENEV delboden? Kandersteg Cergue Munstero Aletschhorn Biel de eile Chateau d'Oez GHI Lenk Prelexo Proging tubel S Wildstur Eggishorn Blinden A Lauenen Bouveret Contreux M'Etivas Gsteig JE Ried Fiescho Villeneuve Vers Leukerbad Kippel Belalp on St. Gingelph Baltschiede aters Morel a 16 Sepeyo l'Eglise Ernen Coligny Thenon B Vareno Coppet Leuk Ollon Diablerets Sanetsch P. Siders B Raron Hermance Vers Brieg of Turtmann Ron Visp Simplon Montana Geutho Glis Cole Collonge Ayent Gryon risal le Biot eyri Ergischhorn Conthey Sion Bex St. Luc Monthey Pass Stalden Vetrozo Vex 이 St. Maurice Fletschhorn Grachen Vissoye nebe Saillon Champery Melden A Bonne O A ng Simpel Riddes Outre-Rhone Ayer St. Martin St Niklaus Chancy Zinal Saxon St Julien Grund ernayuz Pic Evolena Weisshorn Dom Saas-Fe Mischabel im Martigny Bonneville Bourg d'Arzinol Fibbaut Bagnés ALPS Arve la Roche Bovernier Dt. Blanche Tasch Hörner Cluses P Fionney, R S TO Orsieres 46 Zermatt Mattmark A Arolla Liddes horn MONTE. Ruinette Bannio Gr Sallanches Chamonix Doudour Pk. St. Pierref Com Thônes Annecy ROSA FL. RANC Omegna Gr.St.Bernard Mont Blancc.c Annecy Varallo Ugines, Scopa Morgex Chatillon Aosta Borgosesia Dora Ballea Albertville 3 St. Bernard Pass GIRAAN ALPS Verres Bourg Donnas Biella Isere Campiglia Chamoux Gran Paradiso Moutiers Ivrea Dozel L. POATES ENGR'G CO., N.Y East 8° Longitude B 7° A 6° opyright. L. L. Poates Eng. Co.. 1921 لل 10° D 9° C Biberach Werlach R. D Mindelhein o Schweningen Sigmaringen Buchau Mengen O Memmingen Donaueschangen Tuttlingen Danube • Waldsee Pfullendorf Y ON Altshausen M Kaufbeuren A Löffingen Engen Stockach Leutkirch R shausen hn Iller Ueberlinger Thaingen Ueberlingen Schleitheim Schussen Ravensburg Radolfzells HAFFHAUSE See Schatten sen Kempten Unter See Meersburg Unt. Halla in Steckborn Isny Constance Diessenhofen Friedrichshafen. Gottlieben Nesselwang Kreuzlingen Lake of Constance Rafz Unt Stampaheim Müllhelin Guttingen Kesswil Weintelden Argen Füssen Pino Zurzach AndelingenT hur THURGAL Romanshorn Immenstad (Boden See) Kaiserstuhl Glattfelden Istikon Frauenfeld Frauenfeld Arton Mazingen Tobelo Egunel Endingen. Rorbas Amriswi 1 Bregenz Horn Bulach inegg Munchwilen Bischofszell -Eigg Baden Regensburg Winterthür ALG Wil Hoh. Tannen Rorschach Buchs Kloten Turbenthal Thine Liepoldsau zenbusen Sirnach MellingenÜRICH Gossaut.Galle S Rikenbach Go Dornbirn LP Oberstdorf R. Welningen Flamilo Illnau Fischinging Kirchberg Rho • Herisau Oute Altstation Rhein Altstetten Zürich Pfämkon Baania hwa Thal Breinga RARLBERG Breingarten Greifense wil Mosnang Mogelsbg APPENZELL Baretswil Thal wil Küsnacht Lech Küsnacht Usteringen Gonten Appenzell Sed Afinitern Erlenbach Grupinin o Hinwil Lichtensteig St. Peterzell Brullisau Mellen Inner Rh Waldo L. of Zürich Srafnschenbach Ricken Säntis. Sennwald B. Horgen Feldkirch ப Allmann e Uznach Wadenswil Wildhaus Neu St. Johann ppersw Baar o Hochdorfr ZU Richterswi Rapp Lachen ST. GALLEN erdenberg Menzingen ECHTEN- Rothkreuz L. Zuy Weser Hen Currsten112 Bludenz Wallenstadt STEIN Vord R Walch wil Einsiedeln Waggith Nütels Mur Quarten Sevelen Rothenthurm Hint. Mollistars RHATIK Kusenacht Flums Arth th SCHWYZWA Trisanna R. Sargans Netstall Mt.Righ Muttri Mythenberg Iberg Scesanlang. Glarus Mageren Lowerz 47 Lucerne Gersau Schwyz Drus B. Glarnisch Ragaz Inn Brummen Muotathal Malans Schiers Wirle Plavers Schwanden Samp Luchsin Matt Weisstannen Stone Bookenried Bisikuntathar Faulen St/Antonion GLARUS Vattis Martinsbruck Tolls Platte Urner L. Muttler Fideris Isenthal Linththal Elm cheіbe Altdorf Klausen P Lausstock Hochwang Couter Schleins au Kunkels Seedorf Chur Kistenstein Klosters Felsberg Um Rothstock Bürglen Flims Th Schanfigg C Teminso Erstfeld Schachen Silenen Laret Dörffi Engelberg Todi P.mard Schule Panix Reichenau Malix Langwies Stock Vorder Rhine Davos Platz Lavin Titli Titlis URI Arosa Taraspo P.Lischanna Hiferten Sus Versam Gadmen Amsteg SParpan Glaris N Searl G Bristensto ०८ (Meien) Wassen Disentis Somvi Kazis Fürstenau Truns Tavanassa Innertki.chen Wiesen Dörfli Glurns P. Vadret Platz Thusis Lenz Zernez (P.Tauru Guschenen Filisur P. Muraun ९ d Tiefencastel ANG Damma St. Alverneu Devils Bridge St. Martin Brail da Buffalora Munsterg Vrin Platta Zillis Galenstock Ander Andermatt Scanf Bergün Cierfs Realp Hospenthal St. Maria Vals Platz Andeer b Conter's P レ Albula Sta. Maria Zervreila Tinzen Ponte St.GotthardCamopo Pass Auss Splugen Ferrera P. de Err Livigno Ortler Hinterrhein Alrolo Olivone Molins Samaden ald Spliigen Canicul 2 Quinto Aquila PiLavicum Ulrichen Rheinwa Osasco Leve St. Moritz Pontresin ADULA St.Bernardin Cresta Faido S. Bernardino Bormio Fusio Castro Isolato Bivio Silvaplana 2 Giarnico GROUP Gries P A Peccia Mesoced Malvagila Prato P.Bernina A Vicosoprano 1 Maloggia Piciadello OBERO Foppiano Bergell Soazza Biasca Broglio sio na H Bobco Lostello/ R Frasco Posellavo Cevio Osogna Brione Chiavenna NO 0 Gama Maggra Vezza Campo Giúmaglid Lavertezzo Mt.Disgracia Campocolo no Maggia Clara Roveredo Carasso Tirano Crodo 9. Bellinzona a. Sondrid 1 el Locarno Mt.Adamello ntragna Gordela Giubiasco Como R. Adda lagadino Maggiore Morbegno Dorio Domodossola Demo A Colla PSOFBERGAMO Menaggi ol Taverne Porlezza Bellano Lugano Agno Viiminore Lake ugano Fake Branzi Luino Pte. Tresa Breno Introbio Ornavasso Melide Piazza Lake of Laveno Pallanza Lecco Lake Maggio Clusone Besaz Darfo Asso Mendrusio Lecco Stabia Lovere R. Bagoling (Chiasso Como ovarese Y L L. Idro Pisogue Gozzano Lake of Serio Sesto Calende Iseo 3 Gargnano Bergamo Carate Sarnica Saronno Lake 0 Verdello Busto Arsizio E Ticino Monza of Momo Brescia Garda Chiari O Galliate Cuggiono Treviglio Milan E 1906 10° Greenwich D 9° from C crops are grown. The fifth or lower alpine region, terminating at 6,500 feet, is the proper region of alpine pastures. In the sixth or upper alpine region the vegetation becomes more and more stunted, and the variation of the seasons is lost. The seventh or last region is that of perpetual snow. Many parts even of the lower regions of Switzerland are of a stony, sterile nature, but on every side the effects of persevering industry are apparent , and no spot that can be turned to good account is left unoccupied. The area of the country is very equally divided among the population . There are nearly 300,000 peasant proprietors. Nearly 30 per cent. of the soil is unproductive, and of the productive area about 36 per cent. is grass and meadows, 29 per cent. forests, 19 per cent. fruit, and 16 per cent. crops and gardens. The wheat production in 1919 was 105,900 tons from 130,233 acres; rye, 41,500 tons from 54,513 acres; oats, 42,000 tons from 57,014 acres; potatoes , 828,000 tons. These are the principal crops. They are not sufficient, however, for the demands of the country and the greater part of the food crops are imported . The principal agricultural industries are the manufacture of cheese and condensed milk. Wine is produced in considerable quantity and tobacco is grown in some of the cantons. The forest area is about 3,300 square miles. It is carefully preserved and is under the jurisdiction of the Federal government. Manufactures. - Although Switzerland is chiefly an agricultural country, the manufactures are important. There were in 1918 9,137 factories. The manufacture of watches and clocks is one of the most important industries . There were exported in 1918 15,396,542 clocks. The making of lace has long been one of the most extensive industries of the country. There are nearly 2,000 emestablishments , employing broidery nearly 10,000 embroidery machines. The brewing of beer is carried on on a considerable scale . There are over 100 breweries, producing nearly 20,000,000 gallons of beer annually. Commerce. The imports in 1919 amounted to £134,821,000 and the exports to £118,718,080. The chief articles of import were cereals , cotton goods, silk goods, mineral substances . The chief articles of export were cotton goods, linen goods, woolen goods , machinery and clocks. The largest portion of imports were obtained from Germany, followed by France, Italy and the United Kingdom. France took the larger portion of exports, but was followed closely by Germany. The imports from the United States for the fiscal year 1920 amounted to $49,215,680, and the exports to the United States for the same period were valued at $46,394,211. Transportation. There were in 1919 about 3,700 miles of railway. The cost of construction up to the end of 1918 was about $100,000,000. The state railways are being electrified . There are about 1,800 miles of telegraph line and about 12,294 miles of telephone line. Education. There is no central educational administration. Each of the cantons has its own system and regulations. Primary instruction is free. In the northeastern cantons where the inhabitants are chiefly Protestant the proportion attending school to the whole population is as 1 to 5. In the half Protestant and half Roman Catholic cantons the proportion is as 1 to 7, and in the entirely Roman Catholic cantons it is as 1 to 9. There are prin rimary schools in every district and secondary schools from the ages of 12 to 15. There are about 5,000 primary schools with about 15,000 teachers and about 600,000 pupils. The secondary schools number about 535, with about 50,000 pupils. In addition there are commercial schools, technical schools, agricultural schools , and schools for the blind, deaf, and feeble minded. There are 7 universities , those of Basel, Zurich, Bern, Geneva , Lausanne, Fribourg, and Neuchatel . Finance. The estimated revenue for the year 1920 was £11,256,000, and the estimated expenditure £13,653,861. The chief sources of revenue are finance and customs, posts and railways, and invested capital. The chief expenditures are for posts and railways , interest on the debt, and the army . The public debt on January 1, 1, 1920, was £55,261,460, and the floating debt was £14,400,000, or a total of £69,661,460. Army. The army of Switzerland is a national militia, service in which is compulsory and universal . Liability extends from the 20th to the end of the 48th year. The country is divided into 6 divisional districts and the field army consists of 6 divisions and 4 cavalry brigades. There is a staff organization for 3 army corps. The total peace strength is about 140,000. In addition there is a separate force for manning, and fortification, which guards the St. Gothard pass and the Rhone valley. This amounts to about 21,000 men. prises 56 battalions and 36 squadrons. In all about 200,000 men are available for mobilization. Landwehr com- Government and Finance. - The cantons of Switzerland are united together as a Federal republic for mutual defense, but retain individual independence in regard to all matters of internal administration. The legislative power of the Confederation belongs to a Federal assembly, and the executive power to a Federal council. The Federal Assembly is composed of two divisions, the National Council and the Council of States. The National Council is elected every three years by the cantons-one member to each 20,000. Every lay Swiss citizen is eligible. The Council of States consists of two members from each canton. In addition to its legislative functions the Federal Assembly possesses the exclusive right of concluding treaties of alliance with other countries, declaring war and signing peace, sanctioning the cantonal constitutions, and taking measures re- . The garding neutrality and intervention Federal Council consists of seven members elected for three years by the Federal Assembly, every citizen who has a vote for the National Council being eligible for becoming a member of the Federal Council. The seven members of the Federal Council act as chiefs of the seven administrative departments of the republic. The president and vice-president of the Federal Council are the chief magistrates of the republic. They are elected by the Federal Assembly for one year, and are not eligible for re-election till after the expiration of another year. The Federal Tribunal, consisting of 16 members and 9 substitutes elected for six years by the Federal Assembly, decides in the last instance in all matters in dispute between the cantons or between the cantons and the confederation, and acts in general as a high court of appeal. It is divided into a civil and criminal court. People. The Swiss are a mixed_people in race and language. German, French, Italian, and a corrupt kind of Latin called Rhætian or Roumansch, are spoken in different parts. German is spoken by the majority of inhabitants in 15 cantons, French in 5, Italian in 1 (Ticino), and Roumansch in 1 (the Grisens). History. After the conquest of Helvetia by Julius Cæsar, the Romans founded in it several flourishing cities which were afterward destroyed by the barbarians. On the decline of the Roman empire it successively formed a part of the kingdom of Burgundy and the dominions of the Merovingian and Carlovingian kings; while the E. part of Switzerland became first subject to the Allemanni, and subsequently it was wholly included in the German Empire under Conrad II. in 1037. The house of Hapsburg had, from an early period, the supremacy over all the E. part of Switzerland, and it preserved its ascendency till about 1307, when Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden entered into a confederacy for mutual aid against Austria, which compact was confirmed after the defeat of Leopold, Duke of Austria, at the battle of Morgarten in 1315. From 1332 to 1353, Lucerne, Zurich, Glarus, Zug, and Berne joined the confederation. Aargau was conquered from Austria in 1415; the abbey and town of St. Gall joined the other cantons in 1451-1454; Thurgau was annexed in 1460; Freiburg and Solothurn admitted in 1481; the Grisons in 1497; Basel and Schaffhausen in 1501; and Appenzell in 1513. About this time Ticino was conquered from the Milanese, and Vaud taken from Savoy by the Bernese in 1560. The remaining cantons were not finally united to the confederation till the time of Napoleon; and the compact, by which all were placed on a perfect equality, only dates from the peace of 1814. Following the political and religious troubles which culminated in the adoption of the liberal constitution of 1848, Neuchatel declared itself independent of the King ng of Prussia in his title of was de- Prince Neuchatel. The canton clared a republic, with a constitution similar to that of the other Swiss states. The king protested, but in vain, and in 1857 he finally relinquished his claim. In May, 1874, another revision of the constitution was adopted. It makes civil marriages compulsory, establishes complete liberty of creed, prohibits the appointment of new bishoprics except under Federal approval, excludes Jesuits, forbids new convents, and authorizes the government to expel dangerous foreigners, etc. In 1891 the 600th anniversary of Swiss nationality was celebrated. In 1898 the government began the purchase of the national railways and all the five great railway systems of the country had become state property by 1909. In 1911 the National Assembly passed a measure providing for workingmen's insurance against accident and sickness. This was ratified by a referendum in the following year. Switzerland during the World War occupied an extremely difficult position in that it was altogether surrounded by belligerent states and also because the sympathies of the people were divided in accordance with their racial characteris tics. French Switzerland sympathized strongly with France and German Switzerland with Germany. Following the mobilization of the Swiss army the French-speaking Swiss were called upon to defend the German border and the German-speaking, the French. The Swiss government had taken complete measures to protect her neutrality, and every foot of her frontier was protected by mines or by barbed wire . Switzerland has always been a haven for political refugees and in the first weeks of the war she was called upon to shelter thousands from all nationalities from the belligerent countries, and throughout the war her territory was thronged with those who had escaped from the countries at war. Her utmost efforts were directed toward alleviating the sufferings of those refugees who were in need. During the progress of the war the country was under great expense for the mobilization of her army. It was at the same time necessary to raise large amounts to assist the destitute and to exercise supervision over the agents of the belligerent countries who used the Swiss cities as headquarters for intrigue and propaganda. In addition to these difficulties the tourist trade on which Switzerland was largely dependent for her prosperity, was entirely cut off. The great hotels in the latter years of the war became the rest homes for the wounded of the different armies , but the income derived from this source was small compared with what it would have been in times of peace. The necessity of keeping the army mobilized and other extraordinary expenditures resulted in economic disturbances throughout the country. Special taxes were levied and in the middle of 1915 the war had already cost Switzerland over $ 50,000,000. Early in 1917 rumors that Germany contemplated the invasion of Switzerland resulted in an increase in the mobilized forces of the country. During the war Switzerland acted as a clearing house for the exchange of disabled prisoners. Thousands of these were sent from the various prison camps to be interned in Switzerland for various periods of time, after which they were in most cases repatriated. By a plebiscite held on May 16, 1920, the Swiss people declared their adherence to the League of Nations by a majority of almost 90,000 votes . Geneva was chosen to be the meeting place of the League, and the first regular session was held in November and December, 1920.

An Encyclopaedia of Occultism (1920)

For ancient matter see Teutons . (See Spiritualism .-Two cases of spiritual visitation occurred in the Swiss Cantons during last century, of so startling a nature, as to attract the eyes of all Europe. The following brief summary of the Morzine epidemic is collated from the pages of the Cornhill Magazine, two or three of the London daily journals, the Reveu Spirite, and Mr. William Howitt's magazine article entitled, "The Devils of Morzine." The period of the occurrence was about 1860; the scene, the parish of Morzine, a beautiful valley of the Savoy, not more than half a day's journey from the Lake of Geneva. The place is quite, remote, and had been seldom visited by tourists before the period named above. Being moreover shut in by high mountains, and inhabited by a simple, industrious, and pious class of peasantry, Morzine might have appeared to a casual visitor the very centre of health, peace, and good order. The first appearance of an abnormal visitation was the conduct of a young girl, who, from being quiet, modest, and well-conducted, suddenly began to exhibit what her distressed family and friends supposed to be the symptoms of insanity. She ran about in the most singular and aimless way; climbed high trees, scaled walls, and was found perched on roofs and cornices, which it seemed impossible for any creature but a squirrel to reach. She soon became wholly intractable; was given to fits of hysteria, violent laughter, passionate weeping, and general aberration from her customary modest behaviour. Whilst her parents were anxiously seeking advice in this dilemma, another and still another of the young girl's ordinary companions were seized with the same malady. In the course of ten days the report prevailed, that over fifty females-ranging from seven years of age to fifty-had been seized, and were exhibiting symptoms of the most bewildering mental aberration. The crawling, climbing, leaping, wild singing, furious swearing, and frantic behaviour of these unfortunates, soon found crowds of imitators. Before the tidings of this frightful affliction, had passed beyond the district in which it originated several hundreds of women and children, and scores of young men, were writhing under the contagion. The seizures were sudden, like the attacks; they seldom lasted long, yet they never seemed to yield to any form of treatment, whether harsh or kind, medical, religious or persuasive. The first symptoms of this malady do not seem to have been noted with sufficient attention to justify one in giving details which could be considered accurate. It was only when the number of the possessed exceeded two thousand persons, and the case was attracting multitudes of curious enquirers from all parts of the Continent, that the medical men, priests, and journalists of the day, began to keep and publish constant records of the progress of the epidemic One of the strangest features of the case, and one which most constantly baffled the faculty, was the appearance of rugged health, and freedom from all physical disease, which distinguished this malady. As a general rule, the victims spoke in hoarse, rough tones unlike their own, used profane language, such as few of them could ever have heard, and imitated the actions of crawling, leaping, climbing animals with ghastly fidelity. Sometimes they would roll their bodies up into balls and distort their limbs beyond the power of the attendant physicians to account for, or disentangle. Many amongst them were levitated in the air, and in a few instances, the women spoke in foreign tongues, manifested high conditions of exaltation, described glorious visions, prophesied, gave clairvoyant descriptions of absent persons and distant places, sang hymns, and preached in strains of sublime inspiration. It must be added, that these instances were very rare, and were only noticeable in the earlier stages of the obsession. It is almost needless to say that the tidings of this horrible obsession attracted immense multitudes of witnesses, no less than the attention of the learned and philosophic. When the attempts of the medical faculty, the church, and the law, had been tried again and all had utterly failed to modify the ever-increasing horrors of this malady, the Emperor Switzerland of the French, the late Louis Napoleon, under whose protectorate Morzine was then governed, yielding to the representations of his advisers, actually sent out three military companies to Morzine, charged with strict orders to quell the disturbances" on the authority of the Emperor, or by force if necessary." The result of this high-handed policy was to increase tenfold the violence of the disease, and to augment the number of the afflicted, in the persons of many of the very soldiers who sank under the contagion which they were expected to quench. The next move of the baffled French Government, was a spiritual one; an army of priests, headed by a venerable Bishop, much beloved in his diocese, being despatched in the quality of exorcists, at the suggestion of the Archbishop of Paris. Unhappily this second experiment worked no better than the first. Respectable looking groups of well-dressed men, women, and children, would pass into the churches in reverent silence, and with all the appearance of health and piety-but no sooner was the sound of the priest's voice, or the notes of the organ heard, than shrieks, execrations, sobbings, and frenzied cries, resounded from different parts of the assembly. Anxious fathers and husbands were busy in carrying their distracted relatives into the open air, and whether in the church or the home, every attempt of a sacerdotal character, was sure to arouse the mania to heights of fury unknown before. The time came at length, when the good old Bishop thought of a coup de grace to achieve a general victory over the adversary. He commanded that as many as possible of the afflicted should be gathered together to hear high mass, when he trusted that the solemnity of the occasion would be sufficient to defeat what he evidently believed to be the combined forces of Satan. According to the description cited by William Howitt in his paper on " The Devils of Morzine," the assemblage in question, including at least two thousand of the possessed, and a number of spectators, must have far more faithfully illustrated Milton's description of Pandemonium than any mortal scene before enacted. Children and women were pillars, and shrieking defiance from pinnacles which leaping over the seats and benches; clambering up the scarcely admitted of a foothold for a bird. The Bishop's letter contains but one remark which seems to offer a clue to these scenes of horror and madness. He says: "When in my distress and confusion I accidentally laid my hand on the heads of these unfortunates, I found that the paroxysm instantly subsided, and that however wild and clamorous they may have been before, the parties so touched generally sunk down as it were into a swoon, or deep sleep, and woke up most commonly restored to sanity, and a sense of propriety." The complete failure of episcopal influence threw the Government back on the help of medical science. Dr. Constans had, since his first visit, published a report, in which he held out hopes of cure if his advice were strictly followed. He was again commissioned to do what he could for Morzine. Armed with the powers of a dictator he returned there, and backed by a fresh detachment of sixty soldiers, a brigade of gendarmes and a fresh curé, he issued despotic decrees, and threatened lunatic asylums, and in any case deportation for the convulsed. He fined any person who accused others of magic, or in any way encouraged the prevalent idea of supernatural evil. He desired the curé to preach sermons against the possibility of demoniacal possession, but this order could not be carried out by even the most obedient priest. The persons affected with fits were dispersed in every direction. Some were sent to asylums and hospitals, and many were simply exiled from Chablais. They were not allowed to revisit except by very special favour. Mr. William Howitt, writing in the London Spiritual Magazine says: "We need not point to the salient facts of our narrative, or discuss Sword, Magical the various theories that have been invented to account for them. It is impossible not to see the resemblance of the Morzine epidemic with the demonopathy of the sixteenth century, and the history of the Jansenist and Cevennes convulsionnaires. Some of the facts we have related were often observed in the state of hypnotism, or nervous sleep, with which physicians are familiar. The hallucinations of which we have given instances are too common to astonish us. But the likeness of this epidemic to others that have been observed does not account for its symptoms."

Aiton's Encyclopedia (1910)

a republic of central Europe. Speaking roughly, it occupies the region of the Alps between the confines of Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. It has no seashore. Area, 15,992 square miles--twice that of New Jersey . Population, 3,463,609. The republic consists of twenty-two cantons. The capital is Berne. Each canton sends two members to an upper house. One hundred sixty-seven delegates, one for each 20,000 people, are sent to the lower house or National Assembly. Clergymen may not serve. Instead of a president, a federal council of seven members is chosen by the Assembly for a term of three years. These seven members form a cabinet and elect a presiding officer. Each conducts a department of the government. A vote of the people, a referendum, is necessary for the passage of any important measure. In 1908, for instance, the people forbade the further use of absinthe. As far as known to history, the early inhabitants of Switzerland were the Rhaetii and the Helvetii. About 58-15 B. C. the Romans subdued these tribes and established the province of Helvetia. The conquerors built military roads--one over the Great St. Bernard--and established fortresses around which many towns and villages grew up. Many traces of Roman occupation may yet be seen. About 400 A. D. eruptions of barbarians swept over the land. The Burgundians occupied the western portion. This section of Switzerland uses the French language. The Ostrogoths settled in the south. This section now speaks Italian or an allied language. The Allemani occupied north Switzerland, the inhabitants of which, fifteen cantons strong, now speak German. The Swiss people are therefore of three quite distinct race elements. The Swiss republic is a product of the Alps, a confederation of diverse elements, owing its independence to the difficulty of subduing mountain-bred, mountain-loving people. At times, Switzerland was divided up between surrounding nations and again the spirit of independence asserted itself. Notable victories were won over the House of Hapsburg and the Austrians at Morgarten in 1315 and Sempach in 1386. The national legend of William Tell belongs to this period. Charles the Bold and the Burgundians were routed with slaughter at the battles of Granson and Nancy in 1476. The Swiss bore home so much booty from their Burgundian campaign that a love of foreign luxury crept in. The Swiss became eager to serve for pay in foreign armies, giving rise to the saying, "No silver, no Swiss." They formed the best soldiery to be had for hire. The Swiss guards of Louis XVI immortalized themselves by dying in defense of the Tuileries. Christianity was introduced at an early date from France and Ireland. At the time of the Reformation most of the German and a part of the French cantons became Protestant. Jealousy gave rise to bitter civil wars. After many vicissitudes the republic was established and guaranteed independence. The present constitution was adopted in 1848. French is the official language at the capital. Laws are published in all three languages. About fifty-one per cent of the inhabitants are now Protestant, forty per cent Catholic. The dress, customs, and occupations of the cantons differ greatly. Some cantons are devoted to herding; others are engaged in manufacturing or agriculture. Lumbering is an important industry. By frugality a large population is maintained in comfort. Every square foot of productive ground is utilized. Husbandmen clamber down almost inaccessible precipices for an armful of wild hay. Patches of level stone the size of a bedquilt are covered with earth from the valley and are sowed to wheat. Bread, fruit, honey, vegetables, eggs, poultry, and dairy products are the food of the people. Good health and vigor are the rule. The houses are built chiefly of hewed or sawed fir logs which turn in the sun to a rich tan color. The appreciative observer and admirer of the natural and picturesque cannot fail to admire the wide-roofed Swiss chalet, as the mountain cottage is called. The chief exports are honey, watches, silks, lace, cheese, condensed milk, leather, and wood-carving. Imports of glass, pottery, raw silk, woolens, oils, and shoes are heavy. The French franc is the coin of accounts. Lands are held in what is known as peasant proprietorship. About thirty percent of the country is too rocky to produce trees or pasturage. About $25,000,000 a year is derived from tourists. The republic owns the railroads, telegraph and telephone lines, and the express system. There were in 1905 3,974 miles or railroad. Express rates are very low. A twenty-pound grip or box of merchandise may be sent by express from Berne to Geneva for twelve cents. Ordinary telegrams cost six cents with an additional half cent for each word. Telephones cost private users about $8 a year. The railways are owned by the state. Passenger coaches are of first, second, and third class, according to the degree of comfort. The third class coach has plain wooden seats, however, and is entirely respectable. The government sells a thirty-day ticket, good on all trains and on nearly all lake steamers, for $13.50 first-class and $9.65 second-class. A second-class ticket, good on all trains for one year, but not transferable, may be had for $90. There is no cutting of rates. In addition to government ownership, government control of corporations is very much closer than in America. Any two stock-holders in a corporation may call for an examination of the company's books. It is a penitentiary offense to obscure accounts or refuse stockholders the privilege of examination. In educational affairs each canton maintains its own schools. There are six universities. Women are admitted. Owing to the comparative freedom from tyranny, Switzerland has been for centuries the refuge of thinking people, not criminals, who got into trouble at home. Geneva in particular has been the place of residence of a very large number of noted people. Statistics. The following statistics are the latest to be had from trustworthy sources: Land area (square miles) 15,976 Population (1905) 3,463,609 Zurich 186,999 Basel 129,470 Geneva 118,256 Berne 74,651 Lausanne 55,741 St. Gallen 54,127 Chaux-de-Fonds 42,188 Luzerne 35,433 Bienne 27,881 Winterthur 27,031 Neuchatel 23,395 Number cantons 22 Members of state senate 44 Representatives 167 Salary of confederation president $2,700 Bonded indebtedness $20,000,000 National revenue $30,000,000 Agricultural Products- Wheat, bushels 4,000,000 Beet sugar, pounds 7,000,000 Wine, gallons 24,000,000 Chief Exports- Cheese $1,000,000 Condensed milk $6,000,000 Watches and clocks $30,000,000 Chocolate $6,000,000 Cotton cloth $8,000,000 Cotton ribbons, lace, and embroidery $90,000,000 Silk and silk goods $60,000,000 Manufacturing establishments 7,278 Operatives 307,000 Domestic Animals- Horses 161,000 Mules 3,135 Milk cows 786,000 Cattle 700,000 Sheep 219,000 Goats 362,000 Swine 555,000 Miles of railway 1,517 Fish hatcheries 182 Trees planted (1908) 23,096,000 Number postoffices 1,823 Roadside letter boxes 2,070 Teachers in public schools 11,183 Pupils enrolled 502,000 See Alps ; Arnold Von Winkelried; Berne ; Chamouni ; Como ; Constance ; Calvin ; Engadine ; Geneva ; Lucerne ; Mont Blanc; Rhone ; Rhine ; Rigi ; Schaffhausen ; St. Bernard; St. Gothard; St. Gall; Tell ; Zurich ; Zwingli , etc. 2026 Editor's Note: Switzerland's neutrality — already old when this was written — survived both World Wars and became the world's meeting-place: Red Cross, League of Nations, CERN. See Switzerland . (Ed: BR 2026-07-01)