§ LORD CAIRNSMy Lords, I think it right to call attention to a statement which I understand has been made 925 "elsewhere," respecting a document which has excited great public interest, and which was referred to in this House last night. I have no right to ask a Question on the subject, as I have given no Notice to put one; but if the noble Earl opposite (Earl Granville) is in a position to communicate to your Lordships the information which I believe has been given to-day "elsewhere," your Lordships would be glad to receive it.
§ EARL GRANVILLEMy Lords, I have received a telegram this morning from Lord Augustus Loftus, stating that yesterday afternoon the attention of Count Bismarck was called to the matter, and that the official paper of this morning contains the text of a draft Treaty such as that which your Lordships read in The Times yesterday; and adding that it was stated that the Minute of the Treaty is entirety in the handwriting of M. Benedetti. Having said thus much, perhaps your Lordships will allow me to state that I have seen the French Ambassador, M. de Lavalette, within the last hour. I have made the following notes of what occurred, and your Lordships will perhaps permit me to read them to the House:—M. de Lavalette called on me, and the conversation turned at once upon the draft Treaty. He told me that now that war had been declared between France and Prussia, there only remained for him two objects in his post here. These were to maintain intimate relations between the two Governments, and to preserve the friendly feelings, the growth, of late years, between the two nations. The plan contained in the alleged draft Treaty, published in The Times of yesterday, was one which had been originated by M. de Bismarck, had been the subject of some conversation with M. Benedetti, but it never had any serious basis, and was rejected by both parties. M. de Lavalette went on to say that the Government of the Emperor had absolutely respected the neutrality of Belgium, even when there was reason to complain of its conduct—that during the last month the Emperor had made a declaration of neutrality to the Belgian Government, which had also been communicated by M. de Gramont to Lord Lyons, and which, M. de Lavalette said, I must know was absolutely binding on the honour of His 926 Imperial Majesty—unless, indeed, the neutrality was violated by the other belligerent.