The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-15
H E.
MOVING TOWARDS WAR.
Count BismarIs's Speech ON NapoIeOn,s
NeROtlatIOns for LuXem bnurR.

.. MUVlhG IOWARDS WAR.
Count BIsmarE's Speech ON NapoIeon,s
Negotiations for Luxembourg.
In the session of the North German ParlIa-
ment April i, Herr Won Bennigsen rose to uues-
tion the Government relative to the rumored
cession of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to
France, Count Bismark having previously an
nounced his readiness to give immediate Teplv
TO the Interpolation.
Herr Bennigsen said;--A disquieting rumor is
cuTre at that Germany Is TO lose Luxembourg,
q birthplace of German princes, and Parlia-
ment wishes to learn what attitude the Gov
ernments of the Confederation intend to adopt
in the matter. The question is here of a Fede-
raj German fortress and OF German frontier
territory, with an essentially German popnla-
tion, which never dreamed of wishing to be-
come French. The speaker then read a letter
from Luxembourg, which was described as
cry of distress to the Parliament, and in which
it was asserted that out OF ,0O0 Inhabitants
there were not two hundred whose language
was other than German. Herr Won Bennigsen
then continued as follows:-Beiore this uues-
tion all party differences disappear When the
Integrity of Germany Is threaten ed, all parties
wlll unite and support the Minister President
against foreign powers to the utmost. We wish
fOr peace, but will not shrink from war II it be
necessary 10 repel the very first attempt of
Fran ce TO attack our honor. Let us give aspeedy
and resolute answer 10 the warAke tendencies
of France, and we shall stifie them in the bud:
to be silent would be weakness. The promise
gwen by the king that not even a German viii
lage shall be lost, is preserved 10y the people in
grateful remembrance. Let him call upon
them, and he will find that they are one The
work of the new Constitution can be concluded
within q few days If foreign intervention
threatens We do not seek war. and If it breaks
out let France be answerable. The German and
the French nations could live side by side in
peace and prosperity, whereas war would inflict
deep wounds; but if France attempt to hinder
the work of our reconstruction we will show
her that Germany is united
Count Bismark IN reply sald:-By the disso-
luton OF the old Confederation the King of
Luxembourg. There prevails in the grand
duchy dislnclination to enter the North Ger
man Confederacy on account of the military
burdens that step would entail. In the higher
and highest circles bad feeling is entertained
with regard to the victories OF Pl lussia and in a
despatch addressed to the Prussian Govern.
ment last October Holland demanded the
evacuation of the fortress of Luxembourg The
Government, not wishing 10 have foreign
Princes in the Northern Confederation, has not
put any pressure upon the Netherlands. Prus-
sia values amicable relations with France
and has respected her susceptiblities so
far as was consistent with her own honor.
The gPrussian Government does not adopt
the opinion that am arrangement has been en-.
tered into between Holland and France: but
cannot, on the other hand, assert that the con-
trary is the case. The question first
officially brought forward by a communication
made by The King of Holland t" the Prussian
would take up in case his Majesty should in any
way cede his sovereign rights over the Duchy.
In reply, Prussia declared that she would leave
The responsibility of such step TO the King of
H liand. Sofar as Prussia is concerned there is
no rea- on to make any declaration on the sub
iect Prussia will assure herself OF the views en-
tertained by the Powers which signed with her
the treaty of 1889 and by her Federal alliesas well
as OF the state of public opinion as represented
by the North German Parliament Holland has
offered her good offices 10 further negotiations
been declined. Count Bismark went on to de-
clare that he was prevented from giving any
further explanations by the nature of the affair,
and concluded as follows:-The North German
Federal Governments believe that no foreign
power will endanger the undoubted rights of
Germany, and they hope to project those rights
more safely by peaceful means. and preserve
good relations with foreign powers the more the
debates in Parliament shall show the indissolu-
BILE ties that exist between the Government and
the people.
Excitement at Luxembourg.
telegram from Luxembourg of March 80
The current rumors of the cessiou of the
grand duchy of Luxembourg TO France are Off
cially declared to be devoid of foundation.
Numerous handblls are being circulated here,
headed VtUe Napoleon, ViUe Ia France, and
instigating the Inhabitants to acts of violence
against the Prussians. -Four regiments of
troops belonging to the garrison, composed of
Nassauers, have revolted The Governor has
been compelled to make the most serious re-
entations on the subject to the civil autho-
rites OF the town.
Prussian Precautions.
Berlin March 30) CORES. Of London Times.
While cautiously trying to put off the day
when final and definite answer will have To
be returned to the French proposals respecting
the cession of ofLuXembourg, Prussia has thought
il as well to protect the coveted prize against
coup de main. Orders have been sent to LuXem-
6onrg 70 prepare the the ss Gasemate for the recep;
works have been reinforced and provided with
dlummerS and trunpeterS. A strong detach-
ment has been told off for work in the fortress
arsenal, and all the smithies in the town have
received pressing orders from the command
ant, Some persons, who manifested their
French sympathies In the public thoroughfares
by cries of "ViUe Ia France ~ "ViUe Napoleon
IIIp were arrested by Prussian patrols.
In the meantime the language of the Berlin
Government papers continues as ambiguous.as
ever, and 1T is impossible TO tell whether the
measures above specified are merely intended
to prevent the French from bringing pending
negotiations to a forclble and premature end
or whether they are destined To usher in the
adoption by this Government of a resolute and
truly national policy.
Commercial Anxiety In Paris.
Paris (AprH ~ Correspondence of London Times
Trade in Paris, and generally throughout
France, is lar from Ueing active. Dis
quiet and the apprehension of further political
comp lcations suffice to account for the stagna-
tion. People unwilling to embark in any
undertaking OF Importance, because they look
with doubt and misgiVing the future
Among the upper commercial classes the belief
is that an alliance between Prussia and Russia
spoken of vaguely for some months past, is as
certain as the alliance Of Prussia with Bavaria
the Grand Duchy of Baden, and Wurtemberg;
in fact, that France has before her what Is
termed "tacit coalition" In such circum-
stances 1t is not surprising that French capital
lists never remarkable for great boldness
should be cautious and timid.
THE DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG
The negotiations which have been initiated
49,, II MaWan