Moreover, "no one would be surprised" if Italy were to take action in the southern part of Switzerland in the event of a German attack from the north and east.
The Swiss themselves feel confident that, in the military field, they can give good account of themselves, for the Germans will find the going very difficult in the Winterthur region. while the Italians, should they attempt to march into Switzerland through the Simplon and St. Gotthard passes, would find the Swiss taking every advantage offered by the hard terrain.
Furthermore, if Italy were to attack Switzerland in the Ticino region.
France would most probably receive an immediate request for assistance and French troops would then be rushed into the Valois valley.
The German threat appears more immediate than the Italian, British quarters continued. And they said the Swiss authorities feel concerned over the possibility that Germany will attempt in their country the same methods that she used in Norway.
"Fifth Column"
Despite stringent precautionary measures, it was reported here that Swiss military authorities are pı occupied with the problem of completely wiping out the German "fifth column" of spies and men who would become snipers and guerillas upon the outbreak of war.
Nazi spies, it was pointed out would not find it difficult to locate Swiss troop and material concent tions, which are hard to conceal in such a small country as Switzerland.
A favourable factor in ihe Sw military situation is that F Swiss cooperation could be established immediately and complet because many Swiss General officers have studied in France since 1919.—Havas.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.