Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1870-07-27
4 New Excitement lin the European
Situation.

New Excitement lin the European
Situation.
The sober Englishmen Of the British Par
lament, and indeed all London and England,
were thrown into an intense excitement Mon
day, by the publica ton in the Times of an
alleged secret treaty between France and
Prussia, soon after the battle of Sadowa in
1866. 1t is not apparent in what manner
the Great Thunderer became possessed of the
heretofore well secreted document, and sur
misses are rife that the whole thing may
prove to have been a fabrication of the edi-
torial brain rather than matter-of. fact COM
pact between two of the ruling Powers Of
Europe. But John Bull, naturally sensitive
and testy, is surprised and indignant at even
the thought that France or Prussia should
dare contemplate such an Infringing of the
balance of power on the Continent as
the treaty presupposes. England, therefore,
at once assumes warlike attitude, and will
insist upon an immediate answer whether
such treaty ever was proposed or contem-
plated.
We coudense from the cable despatch the
following points of this remarkable document
The preamble sets forth that the King of
Prussia and the Emperor of the French in
order co strengthen the ties of friendship be-
tween the two governments and people &c
hereby conclude the subjoined treaty.
In the first article, Napoleon admits and
recognizes the late acquisitions of Prussia
from Austria.
In the second, the Prussian King engages
to facilitate the French acquisition of Lux
embourg.
In the third, the Emperor acquiesces in
the union of the North and South German
States, Austria excepted.
In the fourth, France finding il necessary
70 absorb Belgium, Prussia lends her assist
ance to that measure
The fifth article is the usual one of often
sive and defensive alliance between the two
nations.
In giving publicity to the treaty, the
Times editorially guarantees its entire au-
thcnticity, and dispatch from Brussels fur.
Their states that the text of the treaty q,
given in the Times is perfectly authentic
1t is also asserted that the Belgian govern
ment knew of its existence some little tim,
since, but from prudent reasons did not max,
that knowledge public. On the other hand
inquiries at the French embassy were me
with the prompt statement that France knew
nothing of any such treaty, or of any nego
tiations tending to such ends.
OF eonrse intense indignation on tn G par
of the British people is at once manifested
at the duplicity of the Powers proposing any
such treaty, and the subject engrossed the
entire attention of the people, the press, anc
Parliament during the entire day of Monday
and up to the latest hour of our news from
London. In the House of Lords Monday
Earl Granville, in reply to question from
Lord Stratford de Radcliffe, said he was un
able to state where the Times obtained tn,
text of the treaty. After the announcement
of the existence of such a remarkable docu
ment, it would be the duty of France and
Prussia Immediately and spontaneously t.
explain the matter to Europe. Mr.. Disraeli
in the House of Commons, after questionins
the Foreign Office in regard to the reported
treaty, denounced the government for with
holding the correspondence on the subject
He declared that England could never have
tolerated such proposition. The extinction
of the kingdom of Belgium would be ca
Iamity to Europe. He hoped the govern
ment would give all the particulars.
Mr.. Gladstone said he was sorry that tbs
papers were not ready for submission, and
that be was unable to give the information
required or explain how the project became
public. It's Purport certainly rcas astounding
Doubtless the powers implicated would ex.
plain the mystery.
On Tuesday Mr.. Gladstone informed the
House of Commons that advices from Berlin
settling the authenticity of the Times infor.
nation regarding the alleged treaty were
hourly expected. The British minister at
Berlin had telegraphed that the despatch
containing the original propositions of Napo
leon, embodied in the treaty, existed in
Count Benedetti's own handwriting. Mr.
Otway, under foreign secretary. declined
when asked, to make any communication OF
express any opinion on the proposal made by
Napoleon to annex Holland
The Pail Mall Gazette of Tuesday morning
says ominously that now the real designs
Of the French Emperor are apparent, it be.
comes the duty of England to make every
possible preparation for war.
The Paris Monaeur notices editorially the
treaty proposed in 1866, and says it never
bad the adhesion of the Emperor The
Monite'v adds that such project did exist
but it was proposed by Prussia, not France
Should England become deeply involved in
this war, quite likely Minister Frelinghuyser
will have little difficulty in pressing the Ala.
hanna claims to an honorable and peaeeabls
settlement. England will hardly care to al
low the United States fair pretext anc
precedent for retaliation upon her commerce
And events may prove that there are time
when nation cannot afford to continue dis