The daily union., 1856-12-25
THR NEUFCHATEL QUESTION.


,oOolusd 10 express an opinion about the propositions Of
Prussia in regard 70 Nsuichatel After the comments
which have appeared in Unsn in regard to the Neu
chatel question: deem it simply an act Of justice to
give place to this report, which is as follows
Report gfs eOmminss appointed IN hs session Of The 3oh
October, 1856, concerning Nsatchatd.
The events Of which the princpaiy Of Neuchatsl was
the theatre in the beginning Of September last have in
duced the royal Prussan government to address TO the
high assembly in the session OF October 80 detailed com
municauon in reference TO the situation OF the named
priucipahty as well 10 the steps intended TO be
taken by the same in regard to this situation and there
fore the Prussian government has proposed
/ That the Diet may increase the weight and signhca-
ton of the protocol signed London the Gath OF May
1882 by the penpotentiares Of Prussia, Austria Great
Britain and Russia in declaring TO adhere TO the CON
alterations and principles pronounced in the protocol
q That the Diet may To Prussia the cooperation
Of the couederaed governments TO attain her purposes
and particularly the delivery of the citizens OF Neufchae
arrested in September, and since held in durance.
The committee, TO whom this communication had been
referred in order give its opinion hasens TO support the
propositions and wishes Of the Prussan government and
10 recommend the approba Of the high assembly
As to the principles pronounced in the aforementioned
protocol Of London, they such as TO recognise the
rights which belong TO his Majesty the King OF Prussia
over the prncpay of Neufchael and the county Of Va
endis in conformity with the article xiii and xxv OF the
treaty of Vienna which rights have been in full exercise
since year 1915 lS4s besides thos granted Swift
erland by article xxv of the treaty the promise has
been added that the signing will deliberate early
possible the most proper measures TO be taken in Or
der compel the Heyec contederacy TO pay due regard
TO the international treaty stipulaons by which the prn-
cpay OF Neufchatel had been admitted under the guar
any OF Europe to be of the cantons Of sw'zerand
The high assembly cannot hesitate to adopt the principles
established in that protocol
The prncpaty Of Neuchatel, with the county Of Va
ends escheated known, in the year of l7o7 to the
King Of Prussia to her legitimate sovereign, and re
mained in this situation up to the year 1906
Ceded then the Emperor of France she was transfer
red by the latter to the Marshal Berther as sovereign
prncpaty, who again in consequence OF the events re-
nounced the Sd Of june 1914 the sovereignty conferred
upon him. which at passed again to his Majesty
the King Of Prussia The article % of the act of Congress
of Vienna then explicitly stipulated that his Majesty the
King of Prussia his heirs and successors should possess
anew as before in full property and sovereignty the prn
cpaly Of Neuehate with the county of Valends Art-
Gle 10 of the treaty regulates the annexation OF the
said prncipaity as a new canton TO Switzerland
In this connexion with Switzerland the principaity
mained under the sovereignty of the King of Prussia until
ls4s but in that year republican movement there over
threw the existing government, established a republican
constitution under the guaranty of the Hevetc Diet by
which the exercise of the rights of sovereignty of the King
of Prussia impeded and suspended.
The present actual state of things is contrary to the
spuaons of the act of the Congress Of Vienna these
spuatons could be deprived of their legal vgor and
efficiency by the violent events of the year of 84s and
consequently there be denied and less than
before the year ls4s to his Majesty the King of Prussia
the recognition of the rights OF sovereignty stipulated by
treaty the princpaity Of Neufchate although the
exercise of those rights illegally mpeded eight years
since
II his Majesty the King of Prussia during this whole
time opposed protests only these encroachmens upon
his rights hoping that by negotiation and argument he
might obtain solution of the conflict between the actual
of things and his right this magnsnimity and mod
Grafton of his Majesty the King of Prussia be attrb
uted the pacific disposition of this sovereign. But the
of things has not been altered and the coniedera
y would undoubtedly have adopted the views and princ
pies laid down in the protocol of the oath of May 1852 If
an opportunity had been afforded will still willingly yield
it be hoped to the invitation addressed by his Mas
V the King of Prussia and recognise the rights in question
stipulated by treaty.
In order TO prove by deed the declared recognition of
the rights OF his Majesty the King of Prussia and in full
fmen OF the obligations imposed upon the oonederacy by
article so of the naac of Vienna the Diet and certain
y also the various confederate States will feel engaged
support the steps necessary these rights respected
The royal government according to the communication
OF the 3Oth Of last month intends to in
yite the Hevec confederacy deliver the prisoners in
appreciang the state Of things and in recognising the
OF the sovereign rights Of Neufchae and by do
ing afford opening for negotiating In regard 10 the
future position Of the prncpaty in the Helvetc confed
eracy IL therefore depends at present the support 10
be afforded by the Diet Of Germany TO the measures which
shall be taken by the royal government towards the HelT
tic confederacy.
The events alluded to in the priucpaly Of Neufehate
have clearly shown what destructive effect II has II an in
contesabe and public right Is arbitrarily violated, and II
conscientious driven into situation that places
them in opposition duties TO which they bound by
oath with the actual public state things Of their
try Therefore, the reestablishmen Of generally recog
used right in the princpality Of Neufchate is OF much
Importance for Switzerland itself it is for the public
right and the Of Europe and consequently the con-
ederacy OF Germany, in advising Switzerland most ur
gently 10 lend helping hand to that purpose only ulhsa
duty originating in the neighborly relations existing be
tween Germany and that country
But according TO the communication made by the royal
government the first condition s the delivery Of the per-
arrested 10 consequence OF the recent at
Neufchate and the safety Of them and their property.
Before this shall be dene there viii be ssiby Of
negotiating with any hope Of satisfactory result 70
the future situation Of the prncpay Of Neufchate and
therefore the diet must express It's urgent wish that the
government OF the Hevetic conederacy may execute as
soon as possible the delivery and safety OF the prisoner
As 10 the form 70 be adopted for the Invitation 10 be
sent by the Conederacy the Hevedc confederRcy the
committee believes proper 20 request those Of the Ger
man governments who have diplomatic agents accredited
near the Heyec conedeacy to support in the name Of
the German conedeacy the demand Of the royal Prussan
government and 10 recommend IL the grounds above
explained with all the energy necessary.
The committee hopes that those joint efforts will sue
ceed In inducing the Authorities Of the Heyec coneder
acy 10 yield to the demand be addressed by the royal
Prussan government and In ectng, by doing the pos
sbity Of further negotiations Therefore, the committee
ls adopt the principles declared In the protocol Of Lon
don Of the gath Of May 1882 concerning the condition Of
the princpality Of Neufchatel; and,
I'd request those governments Of the German confeder
who have diplomatic agents accredited near the Hell
vec confederacy recommend by explaining the polit
cal arguments mentioned in this rspor through their dip
lomatic agents in the Of the German confederacy
the release Of the cens OF Neufchate seized In Sepem
b asked by the royal Prusan government and 70 sup
por with all the energy necessary the steps 10 be taken by
the for that purpose with the authorities Of the Hell
vetc confederacy.
The above report and resolution unanimously adopt
Ell by the Diet in the same session.
The speech Of the King the opening Of the two houses
f the Prussan Congress on the 2sh November Contain,