The New York herald., 1871-01-01
THE LUXEMBOURG QUESTION.

Opinions of the London Press ON tho Subject.
The saturday ReUiew considers "we are bound to
guarantee the Possession OF Luxembourg to the
King OF Holland Grand Duke. exactly as we are
bound to guarantee the independence and neutrality
of Belgium. Although no other Power came to his
upon England to aid HIM defending him in the
possession of his Grand Duchy. and England would
be legally and morally bound to defend MIN in his
possession, although no other Power would help.
Oar only excuse for not interfering, then, TO help
him would be that we were physically unable; that
we could 40 him no good-LuXembourg, uniOrtu-
nateiy, not being u seaport-and that we should
do ourselves an Infinite amount Of harm.
that IN which we should be- and Austria, while
admitting her obligation, might allege, with some
degree OF pausibity, that though sne was bound
To help Belgium or the Grand Duke she could not
do so without exposing herself to the risk Of utter
rum But when II Is question not OF taking away
Luxembourg from the Grand Duke but of Violating
its neutrality then. according the Interpretation
OF tne government which concluded the Treaty or
1857, England would be absoved IRON all respon-
siblity by tile mere TACT that the volator was one
OF Tie signatories. Ii Germany, passing from words
70 deeds, violates the neu rally OF Luxembourg,
we also snail then be free to act.n
The Spectator holds tnat 1t is duty to declare
al that will not permit the violation OF tine
enough by the war which her ' own ia iaut brought brought
upon her; and that what we guaranteed
believing at the uae that the guarantee
would need to be put in Orce. II at all. as
against France. we viii hold to as against Prussia
who, II she wants territorial accessions besides those
she demands from france, wants wnat II would be
fatal 10 the peace OF Europe to concede England
must take her stand some time She is solemnly
bound to stand by Belgium. But, Luxembourg
Yielded IL will be very uitilcut 10 stand by Be-
gium aud far more difficult to get aid from France.
The dismemDerment of France IS a great EVIL to
Europe But this is a feature OF an entirely new
kind. 1t is we presume, meant TO test the mettie
and the courage OF the neutrals. II they give no
sign, Germany would at once feel that she may do
precisely what she pleaseS, in case of conquerlng
France. II we 90 not interfere TO save neutral
territory We nave guaranteed, though 1t Is only
coveted as a new threat 20 France we certainly
shall not interfere TO mitigate any terms Germany
may choose TO impose. The crisis is one in which
front 10 most cynical aggression. England, who
has least TO tear. ought TO lead the way.
Tne StIitddrd observes 'that the breach OF neu.
trality by Luxembourg which, II committed AT all,
practically consists IN the expression OF sympathy
Tor the French by the population affords justil-
cation for tie course the Prnssian government has
taken. The undertaking To respect and TO guaran-
tee the neutrality OF Luxembourg was not gwen by
Prussia TO the III md Duke. but 10 the great Powers
VINO, at her instance, entered into that collective
guaraut tee. The utmost the Prussian government
would be juslfed in dong would be 10 demand an
intervention OF the Powers 10 preyeDt In the iIure
violations OF the engagement OF neutrality by Lux.
embourg preJudlCial 10 Its interests. But it can
aege nothing Of the kind. At the moment tins CIR
cular was written any sympathy the Inhabitants of
Luxembourg might have felt for France was neces-
Sarily barren. BY the occupation OF Thionve the
Prussian government had rendered ii impossible for
French sympatnlzefs in Luxembourg to give the
French cause the slightest help. Why, then, was
the circular sent forth2 Can there be any doubt
German feeling by the humiliation OF the English
government II that government has answered HIM
after the fashion which delights the Times he has
fully attained his oDject.'