Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-01-03

all claim of o~nership over the citadel OF AMI;
serp. The King Of Holland, however, from
probably lurking hope that by delaying aflnai
arrangement he may recover "h's" helgic pro
vinces, keeps possession OF the citadel OF AM.
werp, not as a fortress to which he has any JUST
claim, but as an hostage for obtaining unreasona-
BILE terms from his neighbour and rival. nav
ing taken up this ground, his Dutch Majesty de.
clares that he will not surrender the citadel
of Antwerp ill the Belgians and the mara'ime,
powers Of Europe agree to the conditions OF a
project treaty, which must block up the port OF
Antwerp BY prohibiting the entry OF vessels into
the Seheldt.
1t is quite evident that in acting thus he does
not depend upon the justice OF his claims, De-
cause all Europe including the three great de-
spotic Powers OF the continent who are ms allies
have given their award against him lie, there.
fore. intends TO make use of the brute force OF
the sword against what all his friends consider
the justice Of the case. Tie keeps hostile pos
session Of a territory not his own. that he may
obtain those terms by lawless violence which he
despaired Of obtaining from unbiased equity -
Belgium, on the other hand, accepted OF the
treaty. and calls tas she has right to do) upon
tn. Conference to secure its execution. The
first and main article Of that treaty IS the Integ-
rity oil the Belgic territory. which IS violated
every hour that the Dutch garrison remains IN
the Citadel of Antwerp Hence the necessity
under which France aud England are placed. as
they restrained the Belsians frnm invading Hol-
land in 1880. to drive out the Dutch from every
portion Of the Beigic territory. The settlement
betu cen the TWO States of the few points OF dill
ference which have been reserved by the abso'
lutte Courts Of the Conference for future deiibe
ration, may be effected as justly, and certainly
more impartially, when both the parties are IN
dependent Of each other, by enjoying the iuIl So
vereignty over their own territory.
Hence, though we say that Holland ought to
be compelled TO surrender Antwerp in the hrst
instance, we'would not deprive her. on that &C
count, Of any advantage which the treaties cures
to her. or which she may gain by subsequent ne
gotiation Such are the circumstances when
create the necessity Of British and French inter
ference in order TO prevents war. which, II De-
gun in corner OF the Netherlands. must ex-
tend over the whole Of Europe. 1t would be
a subject OF deep regret were II necessary TOT
Us To come into actual collision with the Dutch
on this uccasion-but if his Dutch Majesty re-
fuses to surrender Antwerp I'LL his own rldieu-
lous fancies are complied with, and u the beig'-
ans will OF treat any terms I'LL their territory
is freed from an enemy, the t"n Powers "hich
have undertaken the execution OF the treaty. DV
the promptitude and decision Of their conduct,
will merely limit the extent and shorten the du.
ration Of contest in which they must have soon
er or later heen involved by the fortunes OF the
parties; though they had never undertaken the
Office of acting as their umpres or arbiters.