The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-05-02

RI HERALD, THURSDAY
The London Conference.-The Probable Doings
and Results.
The truth seems at last to have been arrived
at Our cable news has made it clear that
the Conference has been agreed to, and it has
at the same time explained how certain
doubtful telegram originated. In closing the
North German Parliament, King William very
prudently RETAINED from making any allusion
to the Luxembourg question The omission
was not only rashly interpreted, but rashly
telegraphed without the attendant circum-
stances. A later despatch confirmed the accu-
racy Of the intelligence on which we had
previously acted. The announcement of Lord
Stanley in the British House of Commons war
rants us now to look ct the Conference as
coming fact, and to speculate on its probable
doings and results.
Ostensibly the deliberations Of the Plenipo-
tentiaries are to be limited to the one question
Of Luxembourg. What will satisfy France!
what will satisfy Prussia! and how are the
territory and fortress Of Luxembourg to be
finally disposed of These are the questions
which the Conference is to be called upon to
decide II is manifest at q glance, however,
that these questions open up q wide field over
which discussion will freely range. It will be
impossible to lay down rules which will pre-
vent the different members of the Conference
in the interests Of the different governments
which they represent from looking beyond the
confines Of mere border Duchy, and touch
ing on certain events which have recently
transpired, and on certain other events, which,
if not forcibly checked, are sure to transpire in
the early future. It is well to limit the pro-
gramme; but directly members proceed to
business the programme will be found to have
enlarged itself In spite Of them. Is it con-
ceivable that France, in stating the reasons why
she desired to annex Luxembourg to the empire,
will be silent either in regard to the increase
Of territory and power which Prussia has made
during the last year, or to the various means
by which that increase has been secureds Is
it conceivable, on the other hand, that Prussia,
in defending the course she has taken, will
have nothing to say, not only about the rights
Of the German people, but about the unifca-
ton of Italy and the annexation of Nicef Is
it impossible that the question of the Rhine
boundaries will be revived by Napoleon, and
perhaps even prosecuted with greater success
than ever? In view of the complete unifica-
ton of Germany will Austria be able to pre-
serve silence in regard to the future of her
German provinces? Will no voice be raised
in defence Of the rights of the Danish p0pula-
ton of Northern Schleswigi And are we JUS
tilted in inferring that the treaty Of Prague will
be allowed to pass in all its entirety, unques-
toned? The possibilities Of the Conference
overlapping the limits of the programme can
not be said to be either few or small.
OF the probable result 1t is necessary to write
as yet with caution and reserve. The dis
mantling Of the fortress Of Luxembourg may
be found to be matter Of less difficulty COM
paratively than the future and final disposal
of the Duchy. That it be in some sense pro-
claimed neutral Is absolutely necessary, and
may already be considered certain; but whether
it shall remain tsparate State with . sepa-
rate and Independent government or ib own,
tiguous, or be made to form IN integral part
of the kingdom of Holland, are questions on
any one OF which It Is little likely uniformity
of sentiment will prevail The population ID
German, German in race, German in language,
German in sympathy; and 4 they are barred
for the present from more formal union with
their brethren OF the Fatherland, II IL difficult
to say which of the three courses just indica-
ted would by themselves be deemed preferable.
Separation and independency would leave
the Dachy isolated and weak. Union with
Holland would place it in the awkward
position Of . province which, though
not remote, would have no territorial con-
nection with the kingdom Of which 1t
would form q part Annexation to Belgium,
If agreeable to the population, appears to
be the most natural course, and commends
itself not merely by the fact that the bounda-
ries are contiguous, but by the additional cir
cumstance that the northern portion of the
Duchy is already held by Belgium in virtue of
tn. treaties Of 1889. Annexed to Belgium,
therefore, Luxembourg would, in a certain
sense, be restor d to her former self In our
anxiety for peace we cannot afford to be iadif-
ferent to the welfare Of the populations most
deeply interested. Our hope, therefore, is that
the Conference may result in some such ar
rangement as that peace will be maintained
and the people satisfied.
There are other outstanding questions Of
interest and Importance which 1t might be
well for this convention of the great Powers to
consider and determine. What, for example,
is the use Of allowing this everlasting Eastern
question to hang like . nightmare before
Europe, keeping the entire continent in q con-
tinual state Of excitement and terrori II could
be easily settled-settled 10 the advantage Of
al oxad fo fho diaaduarA ~