Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-14
CIVIL, YET DEFIANT.
THE REPLY OF THE SWISS BUNDEs-
RATH TO GERMANY.
II Does Not Recede a Step from the Po-
sition Previously Taken by
Switzerland.
Copyrighted 1889 by the New York Associated
press.l

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BERLIN. July f3.-The reply Of the Swiss
Bundesrath was received at the Foreign
Office yesterday evening. Though civil in
tone il is none the less defiant. IL does not
recede q step from the position previously
taken by Switzerland, and il throughout a
vindication OF the rights of the refugees
and Of the SWISS action toward the Ger
man police agents. The note persists that
the arrest and expulsion Of Mohlgemuk
was fully justified. and says the Bundles
rath must further adhere to its interpreta-
ti0ns of Article III. of the settlement treaty
of 1876 which in no wise restricts the
right of the two Governments TO receive
in their respective territories any one they
deem ht. Tue Bundesrath must insist All
the more upon its rights being respected
as il is firmly determined TO fulfil its inter-
national obligations"
The tenor of the reply was communi-
Gated TO the German Minister at Bernc
early in the week. The communication
was a signal for the adoption If stringent
measures for the scrutiny OF travellers
crossing the Swiss frontiers. baggage being
mercilessly Overhauled and goods wan
tonly searched and delayed. To-days Ma
hOndi Zeii,fqq denies that these regulations
are reprisals and declares that they are due
10 dlrectiOnsfr from imperial customs officials
uninfiuenced By the Government. The
Swiss cantOnal authorities believing other
wise direct traveller to proceed through
Austrian territory Mn Beregeng. The atti-
tude Of the Swiss Government Is probably
strengthened by the knowledge that Bis
marcks mcnaccs TO the Swiss neutral
ity occasioned dissatisfaction. The En-
peror was not consulted concerning the
dispatches. His Majesty has advised Bis
marck to modify his tone and thus avoid
nggrayating a difficulty. As a result the
seni-oiiical papers are moderate IN their
expressions Of hostility toward Switzer-
land.
The North German CARTE tonight. COM
menting on the situation, contains no
suggestions assailiug the Swiss neutrality
nor even a denunciatiOn of the settle
ment treaty. The Gdzefe explains .hat
the dispatch Of June 5th was the outcome
of an understanding with Russia and pro-
ceeds 10 show that its object was by giving
il the tone and tenor of an identical Rus
sian note presented at the same time to
accentuate the impression II was intended
to produce. It's purpose SO far has been
attained, the Swiss authorities giving due
! consideration 10 the Russian representa-
tions. and it is expected that they will nj
| timatelV recognize Germany claims,
though in a less friendly and less expcdi-
| tiOus manner.
The diplomatic action Of Germany IS
aimed at social democracy III Switzerland.
Against Switzerland itself this policy IS d.
| rected only in so far as the elements hos
| tile TO the German empire are protected
and promoted there. To combat these ele-
ments is a task Of the imperial policy. and
the fight will not be abandoned until the
task is fulfilled. This IS an obvious check
10 the Bismarckian " bounce" over which
the opposition journals Will rejoice.