§ THE EARL OF DERBYKnowing the great interest that your Lordships take in the preservation of the peace of Europe, I have much satisfaction in stating, for the information of this House, that on Saturday last the proceedings of the Conference 379 on the affairs of Luxemburg were brought to a satisfactory termination. The Papers relating to this subject will be laid before your Lordships in a few days; but I may state that in consideration of the altered position of the Duchy of Luxemburg since its separation from the Germanic Confederation it has been settled that for all future time that territory shall be neutralized; that it shall continue to form a part of the possessions of the King of Holland; that all the Powers shall agree to acknowledge that neutrality; that the Duchy shall be placed under the collective guarantee of all the Powers; that the Prussian garrison shall be withdrawn, with all its artillery and stores of war; that the fortress shall be dismantled—so that it shall no longer be a fortress—to the satisfaction of the King of Holland, and that the works shall not be repaired. It is further agreed that the relation which has hitherto existed between Luxemburg and Limburg shall be terminated, and that, henceforth, the latter shall form an integral part of the Kingdom of Holland. I am sure that your Lordships will hear with pleasure that an arrangement has been come to upon this subject which is calculated to preserve the peace of Europe.
§ LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEYwished to know in what respect the present guarantee differed from that which previously existed?
§ THE EARL OF DERBYThe former guarantee, which was under the collective guarantee of all the Powers of Europe, declared that Luxemburg should continue to form a part of the possessions of the King of Holland; whereas the present guarantee, which is also under the guarantee of the collective Powers, declares that that territory shall be neutralized.
§ LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEYsaid, that the effect of the guarantee was that this country might be called upon to enforce the new Treaty of Luxemburg by force of arms in case of any breach of the neutrality of that territory committed by a third Power.
§ THE EARL OF DERBYThe guarantee is not a joint and separate guarantee, but is a collective guarantee, and does not impose upon this country any special and separate duty of enforcing its provisions. It is a collective guarantee of all the Powers of Europe. It would, he thought, be better to defer any discussion upon the terms of the treaty until it was laid upon the table of the House.