Measures Concerning the German Refugees

** Bern, 5 December. The Federal Council has now, partly in order to deprive the Imperial authority of any pretext for hostile measures, partly in order to demonstrate its impartiality towards Ticino and to carry out in the northern cantons, too, the triumph of the strict neutrality policy won in the Ticino debate, also taken measures concerning the German refugees. The policy of Furrer–Munzinger–Ochsenbein is being implemented everywhere. A circular of the Federal Council to the border cantons concerned reiterates the principles laid down by the previous executive and again insists on the internment of all refugees who participated in Struve’s march; and to lend force to this demand, the President of the Federal Assembly, Dr. Steiger, left yesterday for the northern cantons as federal commissioner.

Against the measures as such, nothing can be objected. That Switzerland does not wish to expose itself to unpleasantness on account of a few freebooters who hanker after adventures and are terribly bored in their exile, no one will hold against it. But why then that defiant language against Germany beforehand, that solemn assurance that it had done its duty, when it now indirectly admits not having done so, when it is only now trying to satisfy itself as to how far the cantons have complied with the previous executive’s instructions? It cannot be denied that this resolution of the Federal Council, an act of justice towards Ticino, is a complete refutation of the last official act of the previous executive; and as undivided as was the applause that note received, so little joy will this beginning of the disavowal of the note cause.

Of the German border blockade nothing more is heard, except that the whole of Swabia protests against it. Whether it will be imposed or not, is again left to the good Lord. In any case, the Federal Council has decided for the time being not to deploy any troops opposite the Imperial division.

The federal war council has now dealt with its current business and has been definitively dissolved. In its place a war bureau will be set up, which Ochsenbein, as head of the Military Department, will establish and direct.

The new Spanish envoy, M. Neviez, who arrived here some days ago with credentials for the previous executive, has now presented them to the Vice-President of the Federal Council, M. Druey, and has thereby immediately put himself in touch with the new authorities.

The press is very indignant about the treatment of Swiss citizens in Vienna, of which I gave you some samples the other day. It demands that the Federal Council demand satisfaction and compensation from Austria. In particular, the conduct of the Bernese General Wyß is arousing general displeasure here. The brother of this general is a master builder here in Bern.