The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-07-14
German Custom officials Commence Retaliation
by OBTAINING and Harassing Travellers
Crossing the Boundary Line.
BOulanger Wants tOIntrOduce the Amer
lean Form of GOvernmentin France.
Programme of Parnellite lie aders in Regard to
the COmmissiOn-PreSe nts for Gladstone
Emperor Williams Yachting Trip.


The Little Republic Informs Germany That
1t VIII Run It's Own Affairs.
copyright 1882 by the New York Associated Pressl
BERLIN. July 13.-The reply of the Swiss
Bundezrath was received at the Foreign
Office yesterday afternoon. Though civil
In tone, it is none the less defiant. 1t does
not recede a step from the position pre-
viously taken by Switzerland, and is
throughout vindication of the rights
of refugees and of Swiss action toward
German police agents. The note persists
that the arrest and expulsion of WOhlge-
muth were fully justified, and says: The
Bundezrath must further adhere to its in
depreciation of Article 2 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 fit. The Bundezrath must insist all
the more upon it's rights being respected.
as it is firmly determined to fulfill it's inter-
national obligations"
The tenor of the reply was communicated
to the German minister at Berne early in
the week. The communication was the
signal for the adoption of stringent meas
ures for the scrutiny of travellers crossing
the Swiss frontier. baggage being merci-
lessly overhauled and goods wantonly
searched and delayed. To-day's National
Zeitung denies that these regulations
are reprisals, and declares that they
are due to the directions from
the imperial customs officials. uninfuenced
authorities, believing otherwise. direct
travellers to proceed through Austrian
territory, via Bregenz.
The attitude of the Swiss government is
probably strengthened by the knowledge
that Prince Bismarck's menances to Swiss
neutrality occasion dissatisfaction. The
Emperor was not consulted concerning the
dispatches. His Majesty has advised
Prince Bismarck tomodify his tone, and thus
avoid aggravating the difficulty. As re-
suit. the semi-official papers are moderate
in their expressions of hostility toward
Switzerland.
The North German Gazette, tonight
commenting on the situation, contains no
even denunciation of the settlement"
treaty. The Gazette explains that the dis
patch of June was the outcome of an
uz1 erstanding with Russia, and proceeds
10 show that its object was by giving it
the tone and tenor of an identical Russian
note presented at the same time, to .ac-
centuate the impression it was intended to
produce. Its purpose. SO far, as has been
attained. the Swiss authorities giving due
consideration to the Russian representa-
tions; and it is expected that they will ulti-
mately recognize the German claims, though
in a less frindly and less expeditions man
ner. The diplomatic action of Germany is.
aimed at the Social Democracy In Switzer-
land. Against Switzerland itself this policy
is directed only in so far as elements hos
tile to the German empire are protected
and promoted there. To combat these eIe-
ments is the task of the imperial policy,
and the fight will not be abandoned until
the task is fulfilled.
Already Germany has found an op-
portunity to make reprisals for the sum-
mary expulsion of the pragmatical
Wohlgemuth. The Swiss government has
lodged with the Federal Councila a complaint
against Germany's action IN expelling from
Alsace two brothers named Muller. natives
of Trub, in the canton of Berne. So far as
is known there was no grounds for their
expulsion. except that of their nationality,
which is possibly sufficient to the German
mind in its present state of resentment.