LETTERS TO TILL EDITOR.
SWITZERLAND AND BRITAIN.
(To vox Eorzon 55 Tao Srmc-rxroo.") SIR,—In reference to the letter that appeared in your issue of June 5th, may I be permitted fully to confirm what the writer said concerning the entire absence of any difficulties made by the Swiss officials for English travellers entering the country or any doubt as to the cordiality of their welcome ? We had not the slightest trouble in crossing the frontier at Domodossola on May 15th, and after the weeks of tension that preceded the historic days of Italy's great decision the sense of security and tranquil peace here was very great. We were in Switzerland during the first three months of the war, and as nothing then could exceed the kindness, con- sideration, and courtesy with which we were all treated during a period of great financial difficulty and upset, so is it now, if pound° more so. There is a very warm feeling towards the Allies in these cantons, and I am told a great change in the German-Swiss, where the war methods of the Huns do not find favour or approbation. I hope it may be fully realized at home what an immense work the Swiss are doing on behalf of our prisoners in Germany, as also for the Belgians, French, and Russians. During the last month alone the Post Office transmitted daily to the addresses of war prisoners 162,224 letters and cards, 8,735 small packets, 33,991 larger ones of five kilos weight, 6,656 money orders to the value of 92,424 francs—all this free of charge. The organization is admirable, despatoh and delivery immediate and sure. For instance, the wife of the Russian Minister at Berne sends weekly two vanloads of clothing and food for distribution in the internment camps. Every day M. Marcel Cuenod, Conant at Montreux, to whose untiring efforts on behalf of our men we owe so much, sends five-kilo- weight packets of food to the addresses of English prisoners. The bread has been specially baked in such a way as to preserve it better, and that the prisoners get it within five days is certain from the acknowledgments received. I dare not trespass upon year space to tail of the work done for the.
Red Cross in every town and village; it amounts to thousands of pounds in expenditure. All this when Switzerland is suffering not only immense commercial loss, but is main. taming a standing army of some hundred and forty thousand men, keeping watch and ward on the frontiers. (And a good account they will give of themselves should the Germans—. But that, as Mr. Kipling would say, is another story.) If there yet remains a Didymus in England to question the need, rather the untellable benefit, of immediate National Service, let him come to little Switzerland and see with his own eyes what it means when every mother's son has been trained and disciplined to put his country first, himself second; to leave hotel and shop, farm or fields, as the most natural thing in the world to do when she calls him ; he just does it with neither fuss nor talk. Little Switzerland, I said, but truly she is great in the loyal readiness of her stalwart sons for service, in the splendid generosity with which she is helping the poor and needy in these days of world-wide
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