Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-01-09
Tpr nrR.TaRIE LAND-NEUrcHArEL.


The threatening aspect Of the dispute between
S;.,s-,and and Prussia to the right ct sovereign
., ,,sr tho canton of Neufchate exctes desire for
inflammation in regard to The merits Of the controver.
So and the condition of the little country which has 80
suddenly assumed prominence in the politics OF
Eurcoe. Perhaps this intelligent curiosity may be
s.ahed by the following succint statement OF the
vs-:o.s political changes which Scufchatel has under
gone and which have brought about the present se'
r.ou, misunderstanding between the King Of Prussia
ana the Helvetc confederation.
Itis not essential to our purpose or 10 the interest
Of TIA reader, that should so further back IN our
historics narrative than the time OF the French ianl
lily of Lonsuevil!e who possessed the princ'paty OIL
Seufchatel until the House of Chs'on' became e1'
tine. in 1907 when the King OF Prussa As the nearest
descendant by the female line was chosen to be its
sovereign. His title was recognised aud confirmed
BY the Treaty vf Utrecht. In 1906 the rule OF the
House of Braudenburg was interrupted by the veto
rles Of Napoleon; who appropriated the prnepaty 10
Marshal Berthier but it was restored in 1914 os
the peaoe Of Paris. lu a constitutional charter
dated from London, january 18th. lSli) the
King of Prussia among other rights, conceded
70 the Inhabitants Of Neufcha,el the privilege OF
forming separate State. In 1915 the Congress OF
Vieuna added three cautons to the Swiss conie-
desa,ion Tho va,ais the territory of Geneva, and
the principally Of Northumberland declared the
whole confederation Of twentytw cantons to be per-
iec,iy neutral and nyiolabe. Still, after its incorpo
.sticn 10 the Swies Republic Neufchatel preserved
ts IN onsrchcal government aud continued under the
nominal sovereignty of tbs King OF Prussia Swift
seraad partook Of the revolutionary spirit OF lsiS'
aud the institutions Of the confederate cautops were
modified by the prevalent power Of Democratic
prisciples. Without effor: and withou; resistance
Neu:caats renowned the sovereignty OF the King OF
Prussia assinated its institutions to the other re.
publican centons and entirely incorporated in the
Eere,o confederation. This transformation pro-
soaed feeble protest from the King OF Prussia, IN
xlch be authorized his former subjects to participate
public affairs, and announced his purpose TO ap'
point commissioners to treat with the Federal Gov'
arnment. For four years nothing more was heard
s.om him. and it was thought he had given up all
idea of recovering his shadowy power, when 1t was
announced il May 1882, that in consequences of bis
urgent representations q protocol in reference TO
Neufchatel had been signed by the Ave great powers
No further steps 10 establish his claim were taken by
tas King of Prussia until 1855, when his pleupoten
ssry endeavored to introduce the matter in the con-
ference at Paris. As the minutes Of the conference
record 70 discussion upon the question: we infer that
!. vas not entertained by the pleuipotentariss. De-
:e.;usd however to force his preensons on the Ca
bne,s of Europe, and to compel diplomatic re-.
coSn.on Of his claim, the King OF Prussia stimuia.
I'D his psr;isans in Seufchael to revolt against the
soversiSnty Of the Helvetic government. The in
surrsctou took place the Sd OF September 1856, but
being unsupported by the people 1t was easily sup
pressed by the Federal authorities. The guilty par.
ties were captured and transferred TO the civil pow
ess for trial and punishment.
Whether from jealous regard for his right as is
alleged 10 prevent certain dscreditabe disclosures
q, this point the King OF Prussia intsrposed with q
rere;aoo-y demand Ger The release o; the prisoners
10 which demand the Swiss government, returns
prompt and equally peremp;cry refusal, and'proceeds
% their trial with the umos: contsmp for the threats
ri the afu,iate Frederick William ~. The Swiss
authorities have ri ected the counsel OF Louis
Napoleon who advised them 10 deliver up the prison
srs-for which piece OF p.esumptuous independence
rtey have enoe been severely scolded 10 the Nom
Iser The King of Prussia is evidently in earnest, as
he preparing for attack upon the Swi's terrific
ry and has even requested passage for his troops
from the intermediate powers On the other hand,
tbs Swiss awaits the blow in undi.turbed
repose and with desperate spirit OF resistance.
IN q material point the prize is hardly worth the
struggle. Neufcha,el contains moro than sixty
thousand inhabitants; it embraces but two hundred
and ninety square miles; and yields revenue Of
only twenty thousand dollars. Professionalism is its
predominant religion, and the manufacture Of clocks
and watches almost the exclusive occupation Of its
people
Such are the historical an,ecedents of the can
ton Of Neutchate, such it's Importance in respect
OF material resources, and such the nature Of tbs
,ou,roversy which it has provoked in Europe.