Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-05-13
The peace of EurCne.

LONDON, May lO.-The House Of Commons
assembled this evening:
Mr.. Labouchere alluded to the Peace Con-
gress negotiations, and inquired il the English
Government intended to guarantee the neutral
ity of Luxembourg without first taking The
opinion of Parliament on such an important
subject and so serious an official proceeding.
Lord Stanley, Foreign Secretary, replying
on behalf of the Cabinet, said the members OF
the Peace Conference had met in session Tor
the second time to-day, and although he could
not at present enter into a detail OF the pro
ccedings, he might report that a substantial
arrangement had been arrived at in the Con
ference on all the matters IN dispute, SO that an
amicabIe settlement of the Luxembourg ques-
ton Was practically realized at this moment.
Loud cheers followed the announcement.
Lord Stanley proceeded TO say that he con-
graduated the House of Commons, and con-
Graduated the country at large, on the TACT
that the good sense and moderation OF the
Powers primarily interested as parties In the
Luxembourg difficulty had had the effect Of
a~rresting the unspeakablc which
would ensue to the people from a European
war. Loud cheers.
With respect to the part taken by her MA
jesty's Government in tie matter, the Cabinet
acted, in accordance with constitutional usage,
10 their ministerial responsibility Us official
advisers OF the Grown and Sovereign, which
responsibility, as we'll as the reasons which
induced them to undertake it, they were ready
to vindicatc to Parliament and before the
country. The matter had become very critical.
Ministers were informed every moment, by
telegraph and otherwise, of the increasing
gravity OF the case, so he Lord Stanley could
not take upon himself to postpone or delay an
amendment desired by ali parties interested
and proposed III The Conference -whcn by 50
doing he would most likely prevent altogether
the maturing and giving expression to The
sentiment.
With reference to the guarantee Of the lieu.
trality Of Iuxembnrg, he (Lord Stanley re
GREETED to observe that the House OF Common:
should show q susceptibility with regard / to tn
action of the Cabinet, for he also voted TIT
guarantee. The members of the House Wert
aware that England %and-what was an uucom
mon Occurrence-lEe remainder oil the grea
Powers who we're parties 10 the LuxelnburG
and RcIro-Holland treaty OF the year 1899 hat
absolutely guaranteed the territory OF Lnyem
burg to the King Of Holland at that time. -
What the Government had now done wa
merely to adapt that guarantee to the prtSenj
circumstances Of the case, and render 1t etlca
cious in view Of the changes which had taker
place in the Germanic Confederation. Minis
ters had not extended, but, on the contrary
had rather limited the guarantee incurred II
1899, and Ivy that action contracted the respon'
sibili ly which the country sustained under it..
The present negotiations would be brought
to a conclusion within the space Of 1 few days,
and then the whole Of the papers connected
with the proceedings Of the London Peace
Congress of 1867 would be laid before Parlia,
ment. Loud cheering followed he close OF
Lord Stanley's speech.
FERTILIZERS &c.