The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-04-20

In the session Of the North German Par
lament, April 1, Herr Won Beningsen rose
TO ouestionrthe government rrelsfive 70 the
rumored cession of the grand dachy OF Lux
embourg 70 France. Count Bismark having
previously announced hrs readiness 70 give
an immediate reply to the interpretation.
Herr Beningsen said.., A disqrietang RI.
NOR IL current that Germany 10 to lose Lux.
embourp, a birthplace for German princes,
and parliamens eishs 70 learn ubet altitude
the governments Of the confederation intend
to adopt in the matter. The question is here
Of a federal German frontier territory, with
an essentially German popoulstion which
never dreamed Of wishing 20 become French.
The speaker then read . letter from Lnxem~
bourg, which was described a. cry Of dis
tress to the parliament, and in which It Vas
asserted that out of 100000 there were not
200 VII ose language was other than German.
Herr Won Beningsen then continued as toi>
lows: Before this question all party differ
ences disappear. When the integrity of Ger
many was threateued all parties will unite
and support the minister president against
foreign powers to the utmost. We wish for
peace, but will not shrink from war il it be
necessary 10 repei the very FIRST attempt Of
France 70 attack our honor. Let Ms give q
speedy and resolute answer to the varlike
tendencies Of France, and we shall stife them
in the bud; TO be silent would be weakness.
Tie promise given by the king that not even
O German village shall be lost, is pre-
served by the people in grateful remembrance
Let him call upon them, and he viii find they
are one, The work of the new constitution
can be concluded within n few days II foreign
intervention threatens. We do not seek war,
but ii it breaks out let France be answersble.
The Germans and French nations could live
side BY side in peace and prosperity, whereas
war would iRdict deep wounds; but If France
sttemptsto hinder the work Of our recon.
strucsion we will show her that Germany is
ursted m
Count Bismark in reply said: BY the dis.
solution Of the old confederation the king oil
Holland acquired full sovereign rights over
Luxembourg There prevails in the grand
dachy o disihelination to enter the North
German contederacy On account Of the mill.
tary burdens that step would entail. In the
higher and highest circles = bad feeling is en-
tertained with regard 70 the victories Of
Prussia, and in dispatch TO the Prussian
Government last October, Holland demand
bourr. The government, nat wishing 70
have foreign princes In the northern confed
Grafton, has not put any pressure upon the
Netherlands. Prussia values smcable rela-
tions With France, and has respected her sus
capabilities % far ~ was consistent with her
own honor. The Prussian gevern.ne bt doe.
not adopt the opinion that an arrangement
has been entered into between Holland and
France, bat cannot, on the other hand, asser
that the contrary 10 the case. The quesiios
was 6fst officially brought forward BY com
mnniestion made by the king OF Holland u
the Prussian ambassador, asking what posi-
ton Prussia would take up in case bis males
~ should in any way eede his sovereign right,
over the duchy. In reply, Prussia declared
that she would leare the responsibility Of sucl
step to the King Of Holland. So far q,
Prussia is concerned there is no reason Il
make any declaration on the subject. Prus
sia viii assure herself Of the views enter
tanned BY the powers which signed with be-
the treaty of 1889, and by her federal allies
a. well as Of the state Of public opinion a
represented by the North German parliamen,
Holland has offered her good Offices to fur
Their negotiations between Rrance and Prus
sis, but they have been declined. Coun
Bismark went on to declare that he was pre-
vented from giving any further explanation
by the nature Of the affair, and concluded a
follows; The North German federal govern
ments believe that no foreign power will en-
danger the undoubted rights Of Germany
and they hope to protect those more safel
BY peaceful means, and preserve good rela
tons with foreign powers the more the de
bates in parliament shall show the indissolu
bic ties which exist between the governmen
and the people.