HC Deb 15 February 1861 vol 161 cc475-8
MR. BAILLIE COCHRANE

rose to ask the noble Lord the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a question respecting the annexation of Mentone and Roquebrune to the French Empire. The hon. Gentleman said that it would be in the recollection of the House that the main argument which was put forward by the French Govern- ment last year in defence of the annexation of Savoy and Nice rested upon the geographical boundaries and natural frontiers of the French Empire. It was maintained that the chain of the Alps, and particularly that spur of the Alps which touches the sea at the town of Nice, and which separates Nice from the Principality of Monaco, was the natural frontier of the French Empire. That argument as to geographical limits and natural frontiers was met in some most admirable despatches written by the noble Lord the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in reply to those of M. Thouvenel. The noble Lord said that,— If a great military Power like France is to demand the territory of a neighbour upon its own theory of what constitutes geographically its proper system of defence, it is evident that no State could be secure from the aggressions of a, more powerful neighbour. That, however, was the argument, and the main argument, which was adduced to support what he must always consider the most improper and shameful annexation of those provinces to France. Now, we were suddenly told that the Emperor of the French had purchased a portion of the Principality of Monaco. It was true that the district so purchased was of trifling value, and contained a population of only 6,000 or 7,000 persons: but it seemed to him very hard, especially in these days in which we heard so much of nationalities and of the rights of peoples, that even 6,000 persons should be sold like a flock of sheep, and transferred by a stroke of the pen from an Italian sovereignty to the French Empire. And what became of the argument as to natural frontiers? The Empire was now carried twelve miles across its "natural frontier" on the road to Genoa, and its next "natural frontier" would be at that place. The Principality of Monaco was only ten miles long by some four or five miles wide, but it was a very rich and productive country. It had since the tenth century belonged to the ancient family of Grimaldi, and had never been sold or transferred by them. In 1792 it was taken possession of by the French Republic. Under the Treaty of 1814 it remained annexed to France; but the Treaty of 1815 provided that the relations which had been established by the previous treaty between France and Monaco "shall cease entirely" (cesseront à perpetuité). Monaco then became independent. But in 1848 Sardinia one fine morning occupied Mentone and Roquebrune. This was a violation of the law of nations; but, perhaps not a more flagrant one than some other acts of that Power. It was not the first occasion on which Sardinian troops had interfered unjustifiably in Italy; and, although the Principality was a small one, the step was a serious violation of the law of nations. Of such importance was the matter considered, that at the Congress of Paris in 1856, Baron Hubner called attention to it, remarking that the Roman States were not the only portions of Italy which were occupied by foreign troops, as the commune of Mentone had been hold for eight years by Piedmontese troops, notwithstanding the remonstrances of the Sovereign of the country. But, in spite of this protest, the Sardinians remained in possession of Mentone and Roquebrune down to the present moment. Moreover, he doubted the right of the prince to sell his Principality, as there were rival claimants to the throne, in prejudice of whom the French now stepped in as purchasers. How came it, he would ask, that France never thought of purchasing this Principality till Savoy and Nice had been annexed? It was certainly a curious fact that then, and not until then, France should effect this purchase at an expense of four millions of francs. Another consideration which suggested itself was the part Sardinia had taken in the transfer. It was all very well to talk of a purchase from the Prince of Monaco; but, as the Sardinians were actually in possession of both these towns, it was impossible that the transfer could have taken place without some understanding with the Government of Sardinia. If this understanding had come to the knowledge of Sir James Hudson, Her Majesty's Government would be in possession of correspondence which he had no doubt they would not object to lay on the table; but if the transaction had not been made known to Sir James Hudson, it was evident that a secret understanding must exist with Sardinia for the withdrawal of her troops, in order that the French frontier might be carried twelve mile3 on the road to Genoa. And if such an agreement had been secretly made, probably Europe would be told some day of another secret understanding which would carry the French troops to the gates of Genoa. After the excitement created by the annexation of Savoy and Nice last year, and the discussions which that measure gave rise to, it was perfectly intelligible that France and Sardinia should be anxious that a fresh annexation, whenever such was in contemplation, should not become known till it was a fait accompli, and until the interference of any other Power would be unavailing. The question which he wished to put to the noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs was, Whether any correspondence had passed with Sir James Hudson in reference to the annexation of Mentone and Roquebrune?