The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-01
Count Bismareks Speech on Napoleon's
NEGOTIATIONS FOR LUXEMBOURG

! In the session of the North German Parliament
April l. Herr Won Bennngsen rose to question the
Government relative to the rumored cesson of the
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to France, Count Bis
marck having previously announced his readiness to
give an immediate reply to the Interpolation.
! Herr Benningsen said A disqueting rumor is
current that Germany is lose Luxembourg birth
place OF German princes, and Parliament wshes to
learn what attitude the governments of the Coneder
alton intend to adopt in the matter. The question il
here of Federal German fortress<and Of German
frontier territory, with essentially German popua
ton which never dreamed of wishing to become
French. The speaker then read letter from Luxem-
bourg, which described cry of distress to the
Parliament and in which it asserted that out Of
100000 Inhabitants there 200 whose language
was other than German. Herr Won Benningsen then
continued as follows Before this question all party
differences disappear. When the integrity OF Germany
is threatened all parties will unite and support the
Minister President against foreign powers the Ut
most. We wish for peace but will no. shrink from
war II 1t be necessary to repel the very first attempted
France to attack our honor. Let give speedy and
resoute answer to the Warlke tendencies O. France
and we shall stlte them in the bud be silent would
be weakness. The promise given by the King that
not even German village shall be lost is preserved BY
the people in grateful remembrance. Let him call
upon them, and he will find that they are one The
work OF the new constitution be concluded within
fe" days If foreign Intervention threatens. We
not seek war; and il it breaks out let France be a.
swerable The German aud the French nations COZ
live side by side In peace and prosperity, whereas
would lntct deep wounds; but if France attenp
hinder the work of our reconstruction, wo will
\ her that Germany is united.
Count Bismarck in rr<,lN esii-,s p .lss ssilss
of the old Confederation the King Of Holland acquire
full sovereign rights over Luxembourg. There pre-
walls in the Grand Duchy disincnation to enter The
North German Contederacy account of the military
burdens that step would entail. In the higher and
highest circles bad feeling is entertained with regard
IN, Il
to the Prussiau Government last October Holland de-
manded the evacuation of the fortress of Luxembourg.
The Government not wishing to have foreign Princes
in the Northern Conederation has not put any pres
sure upon the Netherlands. Prussia values auiuabIe
relations with France and has respected her suscep
bilities SO far consistent with her own honor
The Prussian government does adopt the opinion
that arrangement has been entered into between
Holland and France; but cannot, on the other hand
assert that the contrary is the case The question was
first officially brought forward by communication
made by the King of Holland to the Prussian nlbas-
sador, asking what position Prussia would take 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 Holland. So far as Prussia is con-
cerned there is reason to make any declaration Oh
the subject Prussia will assure herself of the views
entertained by the powers which signed with her the
treaty of 1889 and by her federal allies as well Of
the state OF public opinion represented by the North
German Parliament. Holland has offered her good
offices to further negotiations between France and PTua
STA, but they have been declined
Count Bismarck on to declare that he was pre-
vented 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 protect those rights more
safely by peaceful means, and preserve good relations
with foreign powers the more the debates in Paria-
ment shall show the indssouble ties that exist be-
tween the government and the people,.