Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-13
FROM OUR PARIS CORRESPONDENT.
PARIs, FEpRUARY 10. 1852.

PARIS, FEBRUARY 49, 1852
Disquieting rumors of war have been seriously
troubling Paris and the Government since the date
of my last letter Belgium and Switzerland were
the countries toward which apprehension was di.
rected. France was said to have assumed, in her
diplomatic relations with both of these countries a
very decided if not dictatorial and provoking tone
touching the asylum and protection afforded by them
to the French refugees. The reports seemed con-
6rmed by the notorious facts that Belgium is in
creasing her military force on the French frontier
that the opposition there is perpetuay twittng the
Government with tamely cringing before French
threats; and the further fact that the Belgian Go
vernment is certainly by the adoption Of many con-
ciiatory measures most sedulously careful to avoid
giving just ground Of offence to her powerful and
dangerous neighbor.
As to Switzerland, the rumor is that the alarm was
accounted for by intelligence that the cantons were in
high state of excitement in consequence of the
threats against their national independence made by
the neighborng Powers, France taking the lead.
All parties were invoking concord and union of
heart and hand to make successful head against the
common danger with which they were threatened.
The federal journal published at Basic speaks alarm
mgly OF the French note RENTED by the Minister
to the Federal Government, and pretends to quote
very naughty if not insolent expressions contained
possible the exigencies Of her formidable neighbor
the Council of State in Geneva, through the city,
issued the following decree
DEPARTMENT JUSTICE AND PoLrcE.-The Council Of
State, on the demand Of the Federal Commissioners &c.,
DEGREES follows:
French citizens whom events have brought TO
Switzerland and who are without regular papers in
ted to present themselves the Department Of Justice
and Police to declare whether IL be their intention to ask
an asylum in Switzerland or passports for other countries
Those who are under summons to appear before French
tribunals, who have been condemned by default If they
desire 10 remain in Switzerland 10 into the interior
at least eight leagues from the frontier Those who do
not intend 70 remain in Switzerland will be directed to
countries where they be received and viii be furnish
ed with passports from the Federal authority
The Department takes this occasion remind the ct
that is forbidden under penalty Of fine to lodge
any foreigners without reporting their names to the Fo-
reign bureau, which viii give permits 10 remain permits
de sgon) to those who have regular papers.
To all these reports, thus founded and apparently
justified, this Government responds by the follow
ing note communicated to yesterdays Moniteuy:
"when in 1s4s it was in contemplation to nominate
Prince Louis NAPoLEos to the Office of the Presidency
several English journals and most Of the persons inter-
esed in opposing the nomination. pretended that place
Bonaparte Mt the head Of France would be to DEFY a
Europe and they in his election only the signal ~
general 1t is well known whether these fears
were realized Since the 81 Of December the same avs
tenn of calumnies has been pursued and ignorance and
party spirit have combined to give them credit The
most absurd suppostions have been invented At one
time it stated that demands had been made upon the
ncghborng States in tone almost of menace ut an
other that great preparations making for war; and
foreign writer's by the aid Of audacious asehoods
represent situation from point Of view entirely
imaginary Time which Is usually prompt enough to ia
justice to such acts Of maevolcnce and folly seems
the contrary in this instance 70 encourage them False
alarms propagated than Projects Of in
yason talked of and is pretended that our re
giments are ready TO the frontier In conse
quence injury is done to the public credit and serious
obstacles thrown in the way Of the revival Of trade
Meanwhile since the I'd Of December the French Gov
eminent has addressed demand to any foreign Powe
except Belgium, and then only TO prevent the orgsniza