§ 7. Mr. BIGLANDasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he has information showing that prior to the outbreak of the War the Dutch Government had ceded to the German Government the Dutch rights in the waters of the Rhine; and, if so, whether he will state the view of the British Government as to the effect of this Treaty on the position of Holland as a neutral in the present War?
§ Sir E. GREYThe free navigation of the Rhine has been secured by three Treaties: by Annex 16 of the Act of the Congress of Vienna, June 9th, 1815; by the Treaty of March 31st, 1831, between Baden, Bavaria, France, Hesse, Nassau, the Netherlands, and Prussia; and by the Treaty of October 17th, 1868, between France, Baden, Bavaria, Hesse, the Netherlands, and Prussia, These Conventions are published in the "State Papers." His Majesty's Government are aware of no other agreement affecting the lights of the riverain Powers.