present, have always failed in estimating the local or national patriotism of any peoples by completely undervaluing it.
When, therefore, the German early and loudly proclaimed that Switzerland was merely an annex of Germany; that it had no culture and could maintain no freedom of its own, he was met with the most intense antagonism on the part of the majority of Swiss.
The Swiss have always burned with the desire to remain forever free, neutral and independent and everywhere the German was met with the firm declaration that "We Swiss are no Germans!"
And what more vivid testimony to that fact can be offered than the moral to be gleaned from the story of William Tell, and admitted German Classic written by a German author!
Scandinavia:
Of all countries in continental Europe, the German has always been the least liked in Norway and Sweden, and though from time to time pro-German voices were raised, the German League enjoyed little success there.
—74—
