guisan himself outlined the doctrine and its justification on july 12 : switzerland can not escape the threat of a direct german attack unless the german high command , while preparing such an attack , becomes convinced that a war against us would be long and expensive , would uselessly and dangerously create a new battleground in the heart of europe , and thus would jeopardize the execution of its other plans if we must be dragged into the struggle , we will sell our skin as dear as possible .