Notes and gleanings

Objekttyp: Group

Zeitschrift: The Swiss observer : the journal of the Federation of Swiss Societies in the UK

Band (Jahr): - (1934)

Heft 674

PDF erstellt am: 04.10.2021

Nutzungsbedingungen Die ETH-Bibliothek ist Anbieterin der digitalisierten Zeitschriften. Sie besitzt keine Urheberrechte an den Inhalten der Zeitschriften. Die Rechte liegen in der Regel bei den Herausgebern. Die auf der Plattform e-periodica veröffentlichten Dokumente stehen für nicht-kommerzielle Zwecke in Lehre und Forschung sowie für die private Nutzung frei zur Verfügung. Einzelne Dateien oder Ausdrucke aus diesem Angebot können zusammen mit diesen Nutzungsbedingungen und den korrekten Herkunftsbezeichnungen weitergegeben werden. Das Veröffentlichen von Bildern in Print- und Online-Publikationen ist nur mit vorheriger Genehmigung der Rechteinhaber erlaubt. Die systematische Speicherung von Teilen des elektronischen Angebots auf anderen Servern bedarf ebenfalls des schriftlichen Einverständnisses der Rechteinhaber.

Haftungsausschluss Alle Angaben erfolgen ohne Gewähr für Vollständigkeit oder Richtigkeit. Es wird keine Haftung übernommen für Schäden durch die Verwendung von Informationen aus diesem Online-Angebot oder durch das Fehlen von Informationen. Dies gilt auch für Inhalte Dritter, die über dieses Angebot zugänglich sind.

Ein Dienst der ETH-Bibliothek ETH Zürich, Rämistrasse 101, 8092 Zürich, Schweiz, www.library.ethz.ch

http://www.e-periodica.ch The Official Organ of the Swiss Colony in Great Britain. EDITED WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF MEMBERS OF THE LONDON COLONY. Telephone : Clerkenwell 9595. P«Z>Zis&e

PREPAID SUBSCRIPTION RATES GERMANY APOLOGISES TO . From Berne comes the news of the death of M. Gottlieb Gafner, Manager of the 3 Months (13 issues, post free) - 3/6 The German Government bas apologised to formerly UNITED KINGDOM 6 (20 6/6 the 70. AND COLONIES „ - Switzerland the Swiss Government's Swiss National Bank in Berne, at age of 12 (52 „ „ - 12/- following M. Gafner where he in connection with a recent case of was brought up at Thun, was Months (26 issues, free) - Frs. protest SWITZERLAND { jf post J.50 attempted bomb smuggling from Germany to apprenticed to the Banking profession. Until 1907 he was with the " Kantonal Bank " at Thun, 6e Austria through Swiss (5u)i«s iu6«cripfion< may paie/ into Pojf«cAec/i-/Confo territory. he of Bas/e VS7JS). A motor boat, 30 explosive charges in the same year was appointed Manager carrying the M. with detonators, was seized near the outlet of the the National Bank in Berne. In army Rhine, from Lake Constance, in and three Gafner reached the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. July, and he President members of the Nazi-Austrian Legion were (Infantry), for many years was arrested. of the " Handels und Industrieverein," of the In a note to the Swiss Government, which is canton of Berne. published, the German Foreign Minister says his SCHWYZ. (Oorapiied &y cowriest/ 0/ iiie /oZZoieiny coniem- Government deeply regrets the incident and lias The Palace Hotel at Engelberg, was com- poraries : National Zeitnngr, Newe Zwrcfter taken the necessary measures to ensure that the pletely destroyed by fire on Tuesday last, but the Zeitwnc/, /St. GaZZer TayhZatt, "FaterZand and persons implicated, " as far as they are to be few occupants escaped unhurt. TViZmne de Genève). found on German soil," shall answer for their acts. GLARUS. FEDERAL. Steps bad also been taken to prevent a re- M. Joseph Jakober-Spieler has died at Glarns petition of tlie incident. The German note adds at the age of 79 ; the deceased was the founder of NEW BRITISH MINISTER AT BERNE. that an inquiry was instituted on first news of the the ski manufacturing industry in the canton of The King has approved the following appoint- attempt. Glarus, and his firm enjoyed a great reputation ment in the Diplomatic Service : The Swiss Federal Council now considers the throughout Switzerland. closed. Mr. George Eedston Warner, a Counsellor incident BASLE. in the Office, be Extraordin- Foreign to Envoy UNEMPLOYMENT FIGURES IN SWITZERLAND. The Basle painter, Rudolf Hübscher, has and Minister Plenipotentiary at Berne. ary According to figures issued, there were 52,147 died at the age of 36, he was an artist of great Mr. Warner, who is a son of the late Sir unemployed at the end of August, or nearly 3,000 repute, and his early death is greatly deplored Joseph Warner, entered the Foreign Office in more than at the end of July. by his many friends and admirers. and has served the 1903, in legations at Tangier SINGER BARRED FROM SWITZERLAND. AARGAU. and Oslo. lie is 55, and was educated at Eton and Balliol College, Oxford. He received the The well-known Alsatian singer, Marianne Lieutenant-Colonel Simmen-Bircher has died C.M.G. in 1927. Oswald, has been prohibited by Federal decree at Aarau at the age of 41. M. Simmen entered from entering Swiss territory. In July last she the General Staff with the rank of captain and OFFICIAL DAY AT THE COMPTOIR SUISSE. appeared at the Comédie Theatre in Geneva and was later on promoted to major. In 1930/32 he The official day at the Comptoir Suisse in her songs were such as to call forth protests from commanded the Battalion 60 and on his advance- ment to lieutenant-colonel he head Lausanne took place 011 the 13th of this month. non-Communist members of the audience. was at the of the 24th Amongst the many guests were M. I'ilet-Golaz, The Socialist head of the Geneva Govern- regiment. President of the Swiss Confederation and delega- ment, M. Léon Nicole, who is also chief of the ST. GALLEN. tions from the Federal Chambers. Department of Justice and Police, took it upon At a Banquet Dr. Fritz Heizmann, Sub-Manager of the held, the President of the Swiss Confederation himself personally to order the arrest of certain Banque Populaire in St. Gall, has been appointed congratulated the Management .of the Fair on demonstrators, including M. Eugène Fahre, the editor of " La Suisse," one of the chief Manager of thfe " Solothurnischen Leihkasse " in their enterprise, he voiced his regrets at the erect- morning Solothurn. ing of tariff walls by many foreign countries, papers in Geneva. which unfortunately compelled our country to The Swiss Federal Government has taken the VALAIS. accept similar measures, he expressed the hope course of avoiding difficulty in the future by pro- M. Casili, a former President of the com- that the future might bring a change, and that hibiting Mile. Oswald's entry into Switzerland. munity of Challais near Sierre, drank by mistake the harmful restrictions which are hampering out of a bottle containing a solution of nicotine world trade would be modified for the benefit of LOCAL. destined for spraying vines, and died of poison- all countries. ZURICH. ing. LEAGUE BUDGET. An electric locomotive was derailed at the VAUD. station of Birmensdorf (Zurich) having struck a Two non commissioned officers The League Budget for 1935, amounting to barrel which the travelling large empty was placed on track. from Montreux to Lausanne, came into contact 14,87(1,024 Swiss francs, was adopted. was An has been It investigation opened as to how the with one of the electric masts and decided that the Secretary-General should be barrel found the were killed its way on to line. outright. Their names are Henchoz and Rouillier. given full liberty in the matters of recruiting * * -3C- staffs and rationalizing salaries. An investigation into the accident lias been The Swiss Socialist Party at a meeting at ordered by the authorities. A special committee was formed under the Zurich on Tuesday last rejected the proposal auspices of the Nansen Befugee Commission for made by tlie Communist Party to form a common the purpose of drafting precise proposals for the front. NOTES and GLEANINGS. relief of the Russian refugee women in China. It * # was stated that there are some 2,000 in Shanghai A large fire partly destroyed the buildings By KYBURG. alone and 3,000 in other parts of China. of an important Dairy at Staefa, the damage caused is estimated to exceed 75,000 frs. COMMEMORATION SERVICE FOR THE SWISS M. Specker, head of the banking firm of the The following gleaning from the British Press FLYING CORPS. same name, who was under arrest for fraudulent strikes me as very interesting. bankrupt was found dead in Iiis cell. He died My Swiss Journey to the Microphone: On the occasion of the Federal Thanksgiving through heart failure. day, a commemoration service was held in Berne, A Day that passed like a Film: BERNE. to celebrate the 20th anniversary since the Lecf/.s 4/ere« 17/ " 4/9/34. foundation of the Swiss Military Aviation Corps. Dr. Mathilde Theyssin celebrated, last Sun- Thinking it over, I find the day I went to Amongst the participants at this service, were day, her 96th birthday anniversary in Berne. Dr. Lausanne, to give a broadcast from the great Federal Councillor Minger, head of the Federal Theyssin was the first lady doctor who practised Sott ens transmitter, has become already a Military Dept., Army-Corps Commander Roost, in Europe. She studied medicine at the Paris little unreal Yon know how it is when you chief of the General Staff, Army-Corps Com- Sorbonne, and later 011 took over a practice at come to a day crowded with new scenes and mander Guisan, Division Commanders Hilfiker, Strassburg. In the 'seventies she went to Japan novel events. It unrolls like a film. Moments Bridel, Tissot, de Diesbach and de Muralt, and China. of astonishment and beauty flicker past, re- Colonels Fierz and Isler. •K- * placed at once by something still more striking. The When is wish The sermon was held by Army Chaplain, Hotel Regina, at the Beatenberg, was it over you yon could go through Captain Eppreeht. Major Meier-Müller, Presi- burned down last week ; fortunately few guests it again, more slowly. dent of the " Avia " welcomed the distinguished were left at the Hotel owing to the season being Yes, that was a wonderful day, a cine- visitors, and pointed out the importance which over. Tlie cause of the fire lias not yet been ascer- matic day. I owe some of the best of it to the Flying Corps lias attained during the last tamed. The damage is considered to be heavy. Commander Studd, D.S.O., managing director of tlie hose twenty years. Polytechnic Touring Association, w chalets at Lucerne were the " Mercury " Colonel Bardet, the commander of the Swiss party's holiday home. He insisted on motor- Flying Corps, gave a vivid picture of the work CITY SWISS CLUB. ing me from Lucerne to Lausanne, by an in- done and the progress made. He said that in 1914 direct route planned to take in the most magni- the Swiss Army possessed only eleven machines PLEASK RESERVE ficent scenery. and 10 250 machines pilots, to-day are in use FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 23rd For almost eight hours, and for some 150 with a personel of 240 pilots. At the end of the miles, Ave travelled for the through constantly chang- war the Flying Corps had 70 machines and eighty ing loA-eliness. We had long spells of brilliant pilots. In 1929 there were 200 officers, 500 non ANNUAL BANQUET AND BALL sunshine that transformed the snow peaks, far commissioned officers and 2,250 privates enlisted at the off, into Avhat seemed to be a delicate mirage in the Flying Corps. During the 20 years 50 Grosvcnor House, Park Lane, W.I. in the blue sky. lost lives in the service pilots their of their conn- Admission ticket Sometimes we climbed under the wildest Federal Councillor the by only, obtainable from try. Minger expressed Members of the Committee. of storm light that made the mountains a. hun- thanks of the Government for the splendid ser- dredfold more savage than Wnthering Heights vices rendered by the Swiss Military aviators. at their gloomiest. 1551 THE SWISS OBSERVEE. September 22nd, 1931.

ÎFii-Mt, willi a smiling good-bye from the " You have not put in any advertise- trical. Photographs of famous people were " Mercury " party at the Seeburg Chalets, we merits?" she asked. posted on the walls of the waiting room. The sped South between -Pilatus and Lake Lucerne " No," Ï said. " No direct advertising spirit of 'the place was that of a green rooin. and made for the Brünig Pass. Whatever." When returned a before after She I little ten, The road was good, though not up to the smiled, and shrugged that question an excellent which included a aside. dinner, turkey, best British standard. Soon we came in sight dance orchestra was in full swing with " Night " Would see the of the brooding waters of Brienzer See. you like to talk studio?" and Day." Mile. Golay smiled us " would." upon ,and The forests looked under I kept dashing to the announee-microphone in gloomy grey The studio walls were covered with crim- and 1 feared should be denied the orchestral studio, coming out to greet clouds, that we son. The room shone with There that lovely view of the which light. was people and to see that everyone was present Jungfrau you a biggish table with a moveable microphone and should from Interlaken. But luck was and correct. At 9.59 she ushered me into the get a very good clock. all looked bright and with us. As we came to that gay resort (dear It crimson room. At 10 she announced me in theatrical after the austere appointments of French and then in English. to me from a memory of thirty years ago) we the B.B.C. studios in Leeds. saw the of the gleam- shapely figure Jungfrau suggested a voice test. Mile. A curious feeling grew upon me as I spoke. celestial Now made I Golay ing with grace. we for shrugged it aside. " Oh, no," she said. "That In the blaze of light in the crimson studio I Latterbach and then the Pass, reeling to be up will be all right. If you speak too loud or was tempted oratorical instead of con- off the miles on the almost empty if versational. country you speak too softly shall hand a note It was very different from the roads. Mountains and forests kept me silent I you effect of the which the to say so, but I am sure our amplifier will do study atmosphere B.B. with enjoyment. all that is necessary." C. fosters. I had to try hard to make myself fnlfc, and not orate. We stopped for lunch at Gstaad, that A telephone bell rang. Mile. Golay fortunate resort which claims to offer the best answered rapidly and competently. She is When I had finished and Mile. Golay's ski ing in Switzerland. The air, fresh off the accustomed to answering the everlasting ques- golden voice had said good-night to the world, ice, made one long to stay here for mountain tion, " What shall I do?" She reassured the she told me conditions had been good and there walks. It made me feel like a man of 21, inquirer, beamed upon me confidently, and be- was no doubt London would hear me clearly. good for tramping 40 miles a day. We were gan to speak of the Tour de Suisse, as you and So out once more into the wet night to the told that Gstaad had had a good season, 1 might speak of the St. Leger. Hotel Mirabeau, there to sleep in a powder- largely because fashionable Egyptians had So Commander Studd and I went to din- blue room, with bed and furniture ivory stayed there. ner, greatly taken with the easy ways of the coloured, chromium fittings, and a polished Imagine a golden valley, sheltered by studio, and Mile. Golay's darting, many-sided wood floor, and an adjoining white-tiled bath- forest-clad mountains, and shining above competence. room. Swiss landscapes decorated the walls, them.. Imagine everything sparkling and ex- Our B.B.C, studio at Leeds is like a temple and above my head an angel choir breathed hilarating, and with a sort of Grimm's fairy of science. This studio at Lausanne was thea- a blessing. tale atmosphere, and perhaps you will have an inkling of what Gstaad is like, a quiet Harro- gate in a, golden bowl of the Alps. MY FLIGHT. Rhine from Cologne to Mainz, I have " hiked " So far we had been in German-speaking in the lovely Schwarzwald, admired the coasts of Switzerland, but the purring car engine now By ST. Brittany and Normandy, and nearer home, hastened us to the French-speaking parts. Cornwall, South Wales and Devon, but none of Gsteig sounded German enough. lu a few (Continuation). these glories of nature have impressed me half moments we were climbing towards the Col de as much as this wonderful This time flight over this lovely Pillon, and all around us were French place- I continued my journey in a small countryside with its and lakes Fokker machine green hills, valleys names. As we breasted the top of the pass we belonging to the " Alpar Bern," towered over by the snow clad and a. , silvery ran into a curious change of scene. We had Company which Avas founded five years glaciers. — been climbing slowly through mist, in which we ago. This concern, although quite young in heard the music of cowbells from the invisible years, has made great strides, and year after year A feeling of immense happiness filled my slopes below us. We might have been in some has considerably extended its services. — heart, this world is so beautiful, why must we make so hard each other primeval forest, far from any other people, but With great expectations I boarded the ma- it for to enjoy life? why should be as we reached the top we found ourselves sur- chine, which to take me to native there wars, why should we ever enbitter was my town, lives rounded by a medley of police, bright blue this time was the as as our with petty jealousies and class hatred I only passenger far when uniforms, motor cars, and newspaper sellers. Bienne, where an intermediate we could each of us live liappy and content landing was in God's hastened a Paris eve- effected. The short from Basle beautiful nature Everything earthly A man to us with journey to Bienne, seemed account of the Tour de taking only about a quarter of an hour was beau- to me so pettish so devoid of any ning paper offering an grandeur.— Suisse bicycle race. All was excitement and tiful, far in the distance the whole chain of the shouting. The Tour de Suisse is one of the was visible, whilst underneath But there was no time for further reflections, great events of the year in Switzerland. The the heights of the jura mountains were spread in the distance appeared the steeple of the competitors, on their long and exhausting out in majestic glory. Back to my mind came Minster of Berne, we were following the windings course, taking in some of the chief towns and those 1914/15 days when I kept watch together of the River Aare, and next I could see the famous passes of their country, were expected with my comrades in arms in the Jura ; far from Federal Palais, on which the Swiss flag was here soon. above I could recognise towns and hamlets hoisted, as it was the 1st of August, the National which used those On spectators, through we to pass in critical Day of the Swiss Confederation. And now we we pressed, past gathering times. towards Aigle, swept by rain. We passed were right over the town, I could see the house under the famous mountain village of Leysin, Suddenly there came into sight the lakes of where my dear ones dwelt, I saw scores of places where so many people go for medicinal sun- Neuchâtel, Marten and Bienne, an unforgettable which I have visited during the last few years, bathing. Now we came in sight of the Lake sight, over hills and valleys we were speeding they were greeting me like old friends, the hum- of Geneva and found the streets of Montreux, along. The St. Peter's island, where I used to ming of the engines sounded to me like a sym-' despite increasing rain, were full of spectators spend my holidays as a youth awakened in me phony of love. Home, back home, what a, feeling for the race. happy memories of carefree times long since of joy, I felt like jumping out to embrace my For miles and miles could see vine- native soil, but reason prevailed, and after all Montreux looked very French and fashion- passed. one yards and forests, rivers and green fields. This I am a Bernois, and we are used to take things able ; was astonished to find how magnificent I indeed At Bienne we rather slowly. We were now nearing the were the buildings here and at the lakeside was an earthly paradise. pictur- and after a halt of Aerodrome on the Belpmoos, the engines towns of Vevey and Lausanne. Until the pre- picked up some passengers, esque minutes took the to were shut off, and in a slow-glide we landed. sent depression began, Switzerland basked in barely two we air approach I could hardly realise that on the same Sfere see the decorative the capital of Switzerland. morning, prosperity. you more in Lon- side of civilisation expressed in the most I was still our don, and barely 5 modern concrete buildings, with sun terraces hours later I was that look like promenade decks on a liner. almost in the heart One of our pleasant interludes was a visit of Switzerland. On to the Castle of Chillon, a grim pile by the alighting from the water. machine, I had the We stayed at Vevey for tea with Comman- great pleasure of der Studd's wife, Lady Kathleen Studd, in a meeting M. IT. chalet commanding wonderful views. Then on Pillichody, Manager to Lausanne, where at six o'clock our journey of the " Alpar ended. Berne," and one of Switzerland's fore- Here 1 called at once at the wireless studio. most Here Since the from Leeds pilots. as talking over telephone before officials at Zurich had made some altera- I was greatly to I impressed by the tions in the manuscript to bring it up-to-date, of all the and wanted them passed in accordance courtesy to get officials, down with B.B.C. practice. But what a difference right Swiss methods and from pilots to the there is between the radio smallest office B.B.C. walked into the studios, clerk, those of the I found but commissionaire to and found I nothing with no stop me, courtesy, from corridor that was a right myself in a long partly Croydon, Le Bour- waiting room. get, Basle and From a loud speaker a man's voice was Berne. These "Air" booming excitedly against a background of In front there was the majestic chain of the people are indeed as fine a set of men as I have cheering crowd. It was an eye-witness descrip- Alps, I could discern the threatening pyramid ever met. tion of the Tour de Suisse. The which undertook three ot' the Finsteraarliorn ; the Mönch, Eiger and return journey, I and came later was bit as enjoyable, and this A young lady, dark spectacled, Jungfrau as well as the Blüemlisalp forming a days every to see who we were. found this was my first trip into the ether will be one of my most I massive ; and further back as a faint line Mademoiselle Golay ,whose deep musical voice group treasured experiences, and I can heartily recom- could locate the Valaisan Not a cloud have heard announcing, for it is al- I Alps. mend a flight to Switzerland to all of my readers, you may this heavenly was a view which most as striking as that of the famous woman spoilt picture, it I am convinced they will enjoy it as much as I announcer of Italy. I shall cherish as long as I live, I was immensely did. have that wanted to have proud of my beautiful little country. I " In dem lichten Schweben I explained I my the have admired the Ahnen ein ewig' Leben.— manuscript passed. Mile. Golay, all animation travelled along Riviera, I wir beautiful Bay at Genoa, seen from the heights Flügel rauschen leis im Wind — and verve, gave a glance at the new manuscript Erdenkind and said that would be all right. of the Campo Santo. I have wandered along the Schwingen trägst Du,