§ MR. URQUHARTrose to put to the noble Lord the Secretary for Foreign Affairs the question of which he had given notice—Whether it were the intention of Her Majesty's Government to interfere in the affairs of Switzerland, otherwise than as a mediator invited to act by both the parties?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONAn answer to that question might almost be given by referring to the passage in the Queen's Speech which relates to the affairs of Switzerland; but I will state to the House that the original disposition of Her Majesty's Government was to abstain entirely from any interference, of any sort or kind, in the affairs of Switzerland. At the earnest request, however, of the Government of France, Her Majesty's Government consented, in conjunction with the other four Powers, to offer their mediation between the two contending parties in Switzerland, with a view, if possible, of bringing about an amicable settlement of the differences which have led to hostilities in that country. But Her Majesty's Government made it the condition of their joining with the other Powers in that offer, that it should be left entirely optional to both or either of the parties to accept or refuse the offer; and that the refusal of such offer by either one or both of those parties should not be made, by any other party, the ground of hostile measures or armed interference. It is right, however, that I should state on the other hand, that there was a distinct understanding requested by the other Powers, that that condition should not be considered as fettering any of those Powers with regard to the exercise of any rights they might conceive themselves to possess by virtue of treaties. I think it right to remind the House of that which many hon. Members may not bear in mind—that by a declaration signed by the Five Powers in November, 1815, at Paris, the Five Powers declared that they guaranteed the neutrality, the independence, and the inviolability of the territories of the Swiss Confederation, as those territories were defined by the Congress of Vienna, and by the Treaty of Paris, signed on that day; and that they considered it was for the interest of the whole of Europe that that independence and inviolability should be preserved, and that the Swiss territory should 373 be exempt from any foreign interference. I have stated the course that Her Majesty's Government have taken; and I may add that we are ready, in conjunction with the other Powers, to offer our friendly offices for the purposes of adjusting the differences between the two parties in Switzerland, but that Great Britain will not be a party to any forcible interference between those two parties.
§ MR. URQUHARTsaid, the noble Lord had answered satisfactorily the question he had put, and he now wished to ask another question—whether England, in abstaining from interference, save as a mediator, would resist the attempt of any other Power to interfere actively?
§ VISCOUNT PALMERSTONwas sure the House must feel that it would not be proper for him to state what course the Government of this country might take in any supposed emergency.