23 APRIL 1887, Page 3

An extraordinary, and possibly serious incident, is reported from Pagny,

on the frontier of Alsace-Lorraine. M. Schnaebell, Police Commissary at Pagny, was, it is said, asked by the German authorities to set up some boundary-posts which had been injured, and in doing so crossed the frontier by a few yards. He was thereupon seized by two German policemen, acting under instructions from Metz, and hurried away to the fortress, where he is still detained. Such a violation of international law is so outrageous, that we are unable to believe the accounts, which as yet emanate only from French sources. It would appear, however, that the French Government is seriously moved, has specially inquired into the facts, and has asked explanations, if not redress, directly from Berlin. The affair has affected the Bourse ; but it is quite incredible that if Prince Biemarck desired to pick a quarrel with France, he would adopt an expedient which all Europe would denounce as monstrous.