A great sensation was created in Paris yesterday, by letters
stating that General Jemelli, one of the ablest of the engineer-officers in the Russian service, has arrived in Belgium, for the purpose of superintending the ex- tensive works and fortifications which are to be erected for the defence of Brussels.
Swiss affairs are assuming a grave importance. In a previous column we have stated the demand of the French Ambassador to nominate re- fugees for forcible expulsion, and the refusal of the Federal Government to comply with that demand : the Times has a further statement this morning, which, without adding much to the facts, adds considerably to their ominous significance. Fresh indications are noted that France and Austria are acting together : it is anticipated that the next move will be to cut off intercourse with Switzerland by their frontiers ; and that soon afterwards the army concentrated at Lyons under General Castellano will be employed in the occupation of Geneva and the Vaud, while an Austrian army will occupy the Ticino. The scheme is supposed to be a coalition of Austria, France, the Jesuits, and the Ultramontane party of Switzer- land itself, to overwhelm the Protestant Cantons ; France desiring also to restore Switzerland to such a condition as that of the Protectorate under the Empire. Prussia, it is said, has refused to join this coalition • and the Times, declaring that its apprehensions are dialed by "several of the first statesmen of this and other countries," points to the strong claims which Switzerland has upon support from" the other Powers of Europe."
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