ABSTRACT
The outbreak of the first world war did not find Switzerland unprepared. When a military conflict between the great Powers seemed imminent, the Federal Council, in firm recognition of its responsibility, ordered the mobilization of the whole Swiss army on July 31st, 1914 and took its first military and economic precautions. The main purpose of this obviously defensive measure was to avert an invasion. The Federal Assembly gave the Federal Council plenary powers for the maintenance of national security, and appointed Ulrich Wille General, and Theophil Sprecher von Bernegg Chief of the General Staff. The Council announced to the signatories of the neutrality act of 1815, as well as to the other states, the firm determination of Switzerland “faithful to her century-old tradition, not to depart in any way from the principles of neutrality.” This attitude, dictated both by historical development and the actual situation, seemed so obvious that it surprised nobody, whether at home or abroad. Switzerland was most likely the only state at the time from which no ill was expected.
