THE LUXEMBOURG QUESTION—THE CONFERENCE.—QUESTION. (Hansard, 9 May 1867)

LORD STANLEY

Sir, the best answer I can give to the Question of the hon. Member is that the Conference now assembled in London met this morning for a second sitting, and although I do not think it consistent with my duty to state in detail what took place between the representatives of the various Powers, I may say that substantially an arrangement has been come to, and that little except formal business remains to be transacted. Ten days ago, in answer to a Question from an hon. Friend behind me, I ventured to express a hope that this Luxembourg question, which was then disturbing Europe, was in a fair way of being brought to an amicable termination, and I believe I am not too sanguine when I say that the hope I then expressed is practically realized. I think I may congratulate the House and the country that the good sense and moderation of the parties primarily interested in this dispute (for otherwise no exertions of the neutral Powers could have been successful), have resulted in averting the unspeakable calamity of a European war, which a few days ago appeared to be imminent. As to the part which Her Majesty's Government has taken in these arrangements, I may say that we have acted in accordance with the constitutional usage of the country—upon our responsibility as Advisers of the Crown. We were bound to accept that responsibility whenever the necessities of the case required that 260 we should do so, and from the vindication of our acts in that respect, if vindication be necessary, neither I nor my Colleagues desire to shrink. I never wish to make a mystery of matters with which I am officially connected, or keep information from the knowledge of the House unnecessarily; but the present case was urgent; every week we were told, and I believe told truly, the chances of war became more imminent. Under these circumstances the postponement of negotiations might have led to most dangerous complications, and I felt I could not take upon myself singly to postpone negotiations for an indefinite period, delaying thereby a settlement desired by all parties alike, merely in order that time and opportunity might be given for a discussion in this House. Now, with regard to the question of guarantee. I am not surprised, and certainly am not sorry, that there should be a strong feeling of susceptibility in this House, for it is a feeling that I fully share myself, with respect to the subject of guarantees. But, as to this particular question, I take it for granted that the House is aware that England, in common with the rest of the signataries of the Treaty of 1839, actually guaranteed the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to the King of Holland in the most full, absolute, and unqualified manner. That is an engagement which we at the present day did not make, and all that we have done is simply to adapt that engagement to the changed circumstances of the times, and to the position of the Grand Duchy consequent upon the dissolution of the Germanic Confederation. In doing this we have not incurred any fresh responsibility; we have rather limited and defined it; indeed, I conceive that, so far from increasing, we have narrowed the responsibility which formerly rested upon this country in connection with Luxembourg, whatever the amount of that responsibility may have been. This, however, is a matter which I shall be prepared to explain to the House at some future time if any discussion upon it is desired; but it is obviously a matter which I cannot enter into within the limits of an answer to a Question. I can only express a hope that negotiations will in a few days have so far advanced, that I shall be able to lay upon the table of the House all Papers relating to the subject.