The dispute between Germany and Switzerland as to the right
of asylum has suddenly grown warm. The Government of Berne, it will be remembered, expelled the German police agent, Wohlgemuth, for overstepping his duty, and a warm correspondence ensued. The Swiss at last offered to appoint an Attorney-General, with instructions to prose- cute any refugees who plotted against foreign States ; but, according to the National Gazette, Prince Bismarck is asking for something more than this. He wants permission for his own agentaOto "keep an eye" on refugees in Switzerland, and this the Swiss Government is for some reason dis- inclined to grant. It probably fears that the policemen will act as agents provocateurs, or possibly as spies, in Switzerland. Should it refuse, however, the National Gazette hints that Europe may reconsider whether it derives any advantage from Swiss neutrality. Europe will do nothing of the 'kind, and hectoring will not move the cool statesmen of Berne, Who know perfectly well that Prince Bismarck will not drive them to adhere to France. That would be, indeed, to furnish the French lance with a steel spear-head. Switzerland, with French money, could equip an admirable corps d'armk of thirty thousand men, and still leave her defensive army unimpaired.
