Region Basel
From the time that The Salvation Army came to Switzerland from France, it required additional time to advance into the German-speaking areas of the country. After approximately 5 years, work also commenced in the region of Basel.
The Salvationists had one goal: to preach the gospel with God's help and to practice His Preachings. So this is in retrospect, thanks to God, who caused so much to grow and prosper.
In 1887, three female officers were commissioned to found a new corps: Susanna Küpfer came to Basel, Anna Furrer to Birsfelden, and Lina Suter to Sissach, in order to start the difficult work in these places. Anna Furrer, from Solothurn, had already joined Catherine Booth in 1883 and was one of the very early Swiss Salvationists.
In January 1887, Captain Küpfer began work, in the city of Basel, as the commanding officer together with her three assisting officers; Lieutenant Stucki, Lieutenant Sutter and Lieutenant Müller. Shortly after, the other officers in Baselland (Basel Countryside) began their work.
Since the Authorities were aware of the incidents in other cantons, they resolved to proceed more skilfully in Basel. From the beginning, The Salvation Army was subject to conditions: For example, it was not allowed to advertise in newspapers and were required to obtain other special permissions.
The Salvation Army had been a constant topic in newspapers and it became clear that the cantonal government hoped, with these permissions that The Salvation Army would not be able to make itself very noticeable and that there would be no special incidents.
However, these ordinances were of little use against ruffians and troublemakers, who soon appeared at the meetings assuring that the police still had work. But also the special nature of The Salvation Army, and the fact that women were allowed to take the same positions and also preach, made some contemporaries uncomfortable. Likewise, the uniform was an annoyance to many people leading to much opposition.
In 1890, in Baselland as well, the government council had passed special laws for The Salvation Army, because of a petition from residents of the Birsfelden Community.
It is remarkable how positive many officers and soldiers of The Salvation Army were. There is also a remarkable number of documents relating to The Salvation Army in the State's Archives because the special laws had consequences.
Die Majore Roussel-Schoch heirateten 1895
In Basel-Stadt (Basel City), one can read how minor infractions were severely punished with many Salvation Army officers being sentenced to prison. The history of The Salvation Army in Basel has already been dealt with in great detail in the booklet "Marksteine - zur Erinnerung zum 75-jährigen Bestehen der Heilsarmeearbeit in Basel" ("Landmarks - In Remembrance of the 75 Year Existence of The Salvation Army's Works in Basel") by E. Dussy.
The Swiss Federal Council also had to deal with petitions related to The Salvation Army where. opinions were divided.
The Federal Council especially the Swiss President Antoine Louis John Ruchonnet, finally spoke out in favor of The Salvation Army. However, there were repeatedly unpleasant incidents in Basel and in Baselland.
When a second corps was to be opened in Binningen, which was not intended for Basel itself, but was nonetheless located in Basel territory, was another particular incident. In a report from 1892:
"... the police opened the place in question with an axe, in which The Salvation Army officers had locked themselves, and drove the officers away. When Miss von Wattenwyl declared that she was at her home and was not going to leave, she was forcibly removed and taken to the Basel Prison and detained with the other officers. A Lieutenant Dewald was beaten unconscious and prevented from receiving medical help ... "
As a result, 6 Salvation Army officers were sentenced to 2 or 3 weeks in prison (according to E. Dussy).
Canton BL, 1890: Decision of the government council regarding the meetings of the Salvation Army (source: State Archives BL)
In the War Cry (November 1892), the magazine of The Salvation Army, one can find a longer article on the front page with the title "Basel Religious Freedom". It also says:
"Official persecution; seven officers captured for speaking in the name of God and freedom. - The police at work."
In Birsfelden and the rest of Baselland, officers were repeatedly indicted and sometimes sentenced to severe sentences because of the special resolution that the local government council had passed in 1890.
Despite the fact that the Federal Council tried to persuade the cantons to drop the special laws, it was often the view there for years that these laws should remain in place. In several cantons, The Salvation Army or its members tried to claim their rights through appeals or lawsuits. Some of them went as far as the Federal Court. This resulted in different judgments.
In 1890 Captain E. Zuberbühler received 14 days in prison because she extended the meeting until after 9 o'clock and played the tambourine
1891 Captain B. Schmidt, 16 days in prison for going to Sissach with the Liestal soldiers in sashes
1892 Captain J. Huber, 13 days in prison