The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1850-04-04
VOL. ~.
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.
BERLIN, March 5, 1850.


the sides Of which are SO dark.
1t must not be lost sight of that the rulers of
France, Austria, and Prussia, understand each
other perfectly well, the King and Emperor being
willing to further Bonaparte's designs on the i'm.
perial crown Of France, as the best thing 10 ba
done in present circumstances. As the Presi.
dent can obtain this end only by increased
aud an appearance of danger from
external foes it may be that Prussia and Austr;,
are menscing only in order to give him the oppor.
tunity he desires. That they will attack France
appears ridiculous supposition, for neither their
finances nor the state of public sentiment among
their own people will permit it. The President,
on his side, has pretext afforded him to do what
he has long wished-that is, to drive the political
exiles from Switzerland. This is all that Aus
tria wants besides the restitution of the old Sou
de5urd, which is simply impossible. The re-
naming question of Neufchatel interests only
Prussia, who claims its restitution, although
quite willing to accept money compensation
for it. She cannot insist ON her higher claim,
because it would be in direct contravention Of
her own action at home, she doing every day
what Switzerland did ia ls47, changing her in
ternal organization. France has a particular
interest, too, in preventing Prussia from getting
possession again of Neufchatel, a strong fortress
on her frontiers The matter has long since, In
all probability, been arranged between the Pres
ident and the King Of Prussia, and Is now
brought on the tapis in order to influence the
elections in France.
President Bonaparte is now concentrating
force of fifty thousand strong on the Swiss
frontier, and his organs in the press praise him
in every note Of the gamut for his energy in
the defence of the national honor. But we
shall probably see Switzerland forced to do all
that Prussia and. Austria could in any event
demand of her, namely, to expel the political
exies, and make pecuniary compensation to
the King of Prussia for Neufchatel, to which
he, never had any right except as a Swiss sub
ject The iniquity of this demand for CON-
r, 7-~ti4~ pav, be, ssep. ty ts0So a parallel
example. An Englishman possesses land in Ohio
exempt from taxation A new law taxesit The
Engishman sells his right to the English Gov
eminent, which Immediately sets up claim for
compensation. This is the Neufchatel case in
principle A Swiss subject holds certain privi-
leges in Switzerland under her laws. These
provisions are destroyed by a revision of the
constitution by the whole people, and the sub
ject who is also King of Prussia, demands com
pensation at the point of the bayonet.
This question of Neufchatel is only cover
invented by the diplomatists to interfere in the
internal affairs of Switzerland. 1t is SO easy TO
represent Neufchatel as part of the kingdom
of Prussia. and taken from her by the violence OF
the Swiss Cantons, to declare the young Repub-
lie a robber. or which is the same thing, 30
cialist, filled with deadly hostility to the sacred
rights of property. "Restore me my territory
of Neufchatel,n says Prussia; will not ask
YOU to resstablish the Constitution of 1915, but
give me my property" Switzerland replies, or
might reply: "You are hypocritical, for you
we'll know that the territory of Neufchatel can
not be put on its old footing without return
to the Sonderbund."
The probability seems now to be that Prussia
will arrange, by diplomatic means, her difference
with Switzerland, trying to keep open the ques'
ton of the Constitution of 1915. The glory Of
hsri-y ---svu this arrangement by a timely dis
play of force will rebound to President Bona
parte. However, no final decision will be made
until after the 10th of March elections in France
This will enable the President to see his way
more clearly
The Swiss papers, as well as those Of Paris
have published the proof that De Tocqueville
when Minister, agreed to procure from Swtzer
land the expulsion of the exies This is the
policy, certainly, of the President, who suspects
all political exiles Of the restless ambition that
has always infamed his own scatter-brain.
France seems to have long given up the idea
of protecting the neutrality of Switzerland. I'm.
der Louis Philippe her neutrality and invioabiI-
ity were defined by de Broglie, the French Min
lister at London, to consist in right not to have
hostile armies select her territory for field OF
battle, or march through it. This definition was
given in note dated December 2, 1S47, and
intended to pave the way for an attack on Swift
erland by the allied Powers. If the elections
give a large majority to the French Government
it would not be at ali surprising if France should
permit Austria and Prussia to play the same part
in Switzerland which she did in Italy.
Not only the Swiss, but the Italian and Ger
man papers state that the troops of Austria and
Prussia are accumulating on the frontier of Swift
erland persons are prevented from passing from
that country into Baden the Bavarian Govern
ment is strengthening its army to fifty-six squad
rons, and its artillery to thirty-sx batteries anC
Wurtemburg seems to be preparing for the pres
ervation of the integrity of its territory, if no
for war From the far east the prineipalites o
Moldavia and Walachia, there comes also
sound Of war The Russian General, Lueders
who has the command there, is said to have issueC
an order to the commandants Of the several di
visions of the Russian force, to hold themselve
ready for marching into Trsnsylvania, as Hun
\ gary was to be garrisoned by Russian troops
This would leave Austria free to use its forces il
the west. But the report wants confirmation.
The Swiss question will scarcely be the brand
to light Europe into fame. The Governments
are too poor, the democracy too strong the dan
ger Of revolution too imminent True, delugt
of blood would prepare the way for reintegra
ton Of sbsolutism, most probably military
despotsm, but it might destroy in its course al
the present royal houses Of Europe. The Kings
depend on it, are not going TO make themselve'
martyrs for the cause of royalty in other hands
THE FRANKFORT COMMISSION.
The central Government of Germany expires
by limitation of the September treaty on tn
first of May. Whether it will be renewed or not
| ia uncertain If an the hands of the weaker Gov
ernmens, must be forced, for the Commission rep
resents nothing but the military dictatorship
Austria and Prussia over Germany. The Unite'