Lords Sitting of 2 May 1867

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—First Reading—Fortifications (Provision for Expenses)* (84); Public Libraries (Scotland)) Acts Amendment* (85).
THE DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG.

  QUESTION.
  EARL RUSSELL: Seeing the noble Earl at the head of the Government in his place I wish to put a Question to him on a subject relating to foreign affairs. Since the House adjourned for the holydays great alarm has been excited both in this country and on the Continent of Europe on account of apprehensions of war between two powerful States, France and Prussia, with respect to the Duchy of Luxembourg. Subsequently the announcement has been made that a Conference has been proposed, and that the proposal has been accepted. I wish to know whether

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  that announcement is correct, and whether the noble Earl feels it consistent with his duty to state anything further in relation to the matter?
  THE EARL OF DERBY: The noble Earl has given me notice of the Question he has just put. In reply, I may say that my only difficulty is as to what may be the latest intelligence on the subject, because in these days of rapid telegraphic communication it is not easy to ascertain from hour to hour what is the precise state of the question. I hope, however, without entering into any details with regard to the causes which led to the anxiety prevailing in Europe to which the noble Earl has referred, I shall be able shortly to give him a clear, and I trust not unsatisfactory, statement with regard to the present position of affairs with regard to Luxembourg, and in reference, consequently, to the preservation of peace in Europe. I need not remind your Lordships, that in consequence of the anomalous position in which the Duchy of Luxembourg was placed subsequently to its separation from the German Confederation, to which it was formerly attached, it became a subject of great jealousy between France and Prussia, which led to a misunderstanding so serious that at one time it created great apprehension that it was hardly possible to ward off the impending calamity of a European war; or at least a contest between those two great countries. That prospect, my Lords, was viewed with universal apprehension, and it became the duty, as it was no doubt the interest, of all the neutral Powers of Europe to use their best endeavours for the purpose of averting so great a calamity. Austria, Russia, and Great Britain severally exercised their influence in favour of peace. I think it right to state, however, with regard to Her Majesty's Government, that we have confined our efforts to that object. We have on our part expressed no opinion with regard to the merits of the dispute, either on one side or the other; nor have we put forth any suggestions of our own with regard to the settlement of the question. Whilst this was going on the King of Holland, who is also Grand Duke of Luxembourg, thought it desirable to call the attention of the allied Powers to the very peculiar position in which that Duchy was placed, and its altered circumstances since its separation from the German Confederation, to which it was attached under the treaty
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  of 1839. The King of Holland, therefore, acting in the capacity of Grand Duke, suggested to all the Powers the desirability of holding a Conference for the purpose of considering the present position of the Duchy. That proposition has been accepted by all the Powers; and in accordance with the general desire it has been fixed that that Conference shall take place at an early period, and that it shall take place in London. I am not prepared to say that any fixed and definite basis has been assigned as a necessary preliminary for holding that Conference; but from communications which have taken place between the various Powers, I entertain very little doubt that, if the neutral Powers are unanimous, as I trust they will be, in offering such a solution of the present difficulty as would not in the slightest degree interfere with or prejudice the military honour of either of the two countries concerned, and which would be at the same time in accordance with the wishes of the people of Luxembourg themselves—I have every reason to believe, and, indeed, have hardly any reason to doubt, that such a solution will be accepted both by France and Prussia, and that the danger of this European complication may be averted. It has been universally felt to be desirable, that no time should be lost in holding the Conference. Telegraphic communications are passing between the various Powers almost every hour; but in the meantime it is the general desire, and I trust it will be found practicable, that the Conference may not be deferred later than Tuesday next; that it may then meet in London; and that a very short time will serve to dissipate that anxiety which must be felt by all Europe as long as there is the slightest prospect of hostilities arising between two such great Powers as France and Prussia.

CASE OF THE "TORNADO."

  POSTPONEMENT OF MOTION.
  THE MARQUESS OF CLANRICARDE, who had given notice to call the attention of the House to the case of the Tornado, rose to postpone his Motion. The noble Marquess said, he was induced to do so from the fact that a further series of Papers relative to it had only that day been laid on the table, and their Lordships had not had time to make themselves acquainted with their contents. He felt assured Her Majesty's Government would

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  exact that justice in reference to the Tornado which they had obtained from the Spanish Government in the case of the Queen Victoria, and that the noble Lord at the head of the Foreign Office would take care that the owners and crew of the former vessel had a fair trial.
  House adjourned at half after Five o'clock.