The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-19
FIRST EDITION
LUXEMBURG.

History Of the Grand Duchy-Its Place In
European Poiitics-Tbe stipuiatIons Resurd.
Ing It's sovereiEnty-Its Extent, PSpni alton
and FortiHcRttons.
Although the latest dispatches from Europe ap-
pear to indicate that there will be no trouble about
the Luxembourg question, 1t is likely to assume
fresh prominence at any moment. Interest there
lore attaches 10 the quet tion OF how far the Euro
pean powers are concerned in maintaining the inde-
pendence OF the duchy Its present place In Kuro-
pean politics is based on the general settlement
accomplished at the Congress OF Vienna in 1916.
Belgium and Luxem6urg were then placed under
Luxembourg was accorded place In the Germanlc
Confederation.
When, however, Belgium revolted against Hol-
land, in 1890, the whole of Luxembourg, with the ex-
CeptOn OF the Fortress made common cause with
the insurrecton, aud it was not until 1899 that the
part now known the Grand Duchy was brought
back to its allegiance to the Confederation and the
King Of II Holland In that year. the great powers
Grand Duchy. Nothing occurred to disturb this
arrangemt mt until the results OF the German OF
1856 rendered a new settlement imperative. Holland
opened the discussion on the subject by asking IL
Prussia still entitled to retain her troops in
they stationed there was dissolved This oues-
tion occupied attention until France intervened in
the matter by negotiating for the purchase OF the
territory and fortress,
The King of Holland was willing to sell, provided
the European Powers concerned would agree to the
transfer Germany became alarmed at this. and
Count Bismarck displayed his accustomed ability
and frmness in defeating Napoleons designs To-
subject gave rise, Count Bismarck declared that
Prussia was 'not in position to consent to the
separation, in any. form OF Luxembourg from Ger
many, or to the evacuation of tlfe fortress" He
however modified this resolution, and consented to
conference, which met in London, on the 7th of
May, 1867, under the presidency of Lord Stanley
the representative of England. The Powers repre-
sented at this conference, In addition to the Grand
Duchy itself. were Prussia, Austria, Russia, Eng
land, France, Italy, Belgium, and Holland The
conference closed by signing the treaty OF London,
Of which the following Is q synopsis =
Article l. Atfirms the rights of the King Of Ho
land
Article Q. Enacts that Luxemburg shall be per-
petually neutral, under the guarantee of Austria,
France, Great Britain, Prussia and Russia.
Article 8. Stipuates that the town of Luxembourg
shall cease to be fortified place.
Article 4. The King OF Prussia agrees to Withdraw
Article $. The King of Holland agrees to demolish
the fortress OF Luxembnrg, so far as will comply
with the intention Of Article 8.
Article G. Recognizes that the dissolution OF the
Germanic Confederation "led to a rupture OF the
bonds which united the Duchy OF Limburg collec-
lively with the Grand Duchy OF Luxemburg.'
This treaty was at once ratified by all the powers,
and the fortress was evacuated by the Prussans in
the course Of May and June, and the fortress par
TALLY razed in the course of the year. Some doubt
having arisen regarding the meaning OF the guar
antee established by article 2 OF the treaty, it
offcially declared by England and Russia That they
understood it to be only Joint guarantee, aud not
involving an obligation for any OF the States to en-
force such guarantee separately.
The Grand Duchy OF LuXemburg derives its i'm
pOrtapce from the strategcal advantages its posses
Sion would give to either Prussia or France. It is
only $50 square miles in extent, and had, in 1860
so strong from its natural position ana the defenses
which were added to it, that Carn0t pronounced it
to be the strongest place in Europe after Gibraltar
1t is divided into low and high town. The former
lies along the banks of the AbZette and consists OF
two quarters, called the Grlndel and Pfaienthal.
The latter stands 200 feet higher, on a steep
and scarped rock, and is approached from below by
Nights OF steps and zig.zag streets cut oat of the
solid rock and about eight feet in width. Previous
TO the demotions made in accordance with the
treaty of London the whole rock was surrounded by
a double row Of formidable outWorSs The most re-
markable part of the Notifications, called lie Bouc,
consists of rocky promontory which commands the
valley both above ana below.