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"Hansard,"
vol. 203. page 1671.
"Hansard's Debaten," vol. ociü, page 1747.
“Hansard's Debates,” vol. ociii, page 1760.
"Hansard's Debates," vol. ociii, page 1788.
9
Again, in 1870, when England made treaties with both France and Germany for the defence of Belgian neutrality, the then Government and Opposition both concurred in maintaining the validity of the Treaty of 1889.
Lord Granville, in an important Ministerial statement, explained why Belgian neutrality was a matter to which England attached the greatest importance; and Lord Cairns, the leader of the Opposition, summarised the situation as follows:-
Lord Cairns,
"I cannot—although any approval ou my part must be of little. consequence--withhold my expression of approval at the object which His Majesty's Government had in view in the negotiations (Treaty with France and Prussia) in which they have been engaged-an object which has put an end to any doubts, if such could exist, that they are prepared to maintain the engagements of the Treaty of 1839—engagements which do not concern the honour more than they concern the interests of England. There is also, I think, no doubt that of all ways, that most calculated to avoid the dire necessity of war, is to announce at the very commencement the intention of the Government on a matter of this kind- to allow it to be known that this country is determined to adhere to her engagements, and will treat any violation of the engagements of the other signatories, parties to the Treaty of 1889, as a just and proper cause
of war."
Lord Stratford de Redcliffe was not less explicit :
"What strikes me as manifest is that we are greatly indebted to the Government for the care they have taken to meet the requirements of the honour and interests of the country by redeeming the pledges which were given in the Treaty of April, 1839, at the same time that they have endeavoured to guard us from the dangers of being eventually involved in the horrors and calamites of war."
In the Lower House Mr. Gladstone declared that the neutrality and independence of Belgium must be respected :—
"But we have an interest in the independence of Belgium which is wider than that-which is wider than that which we may have in the literal operation of the guarantee. It is found in the answer to the question whether, under the circumstances of the case, this country, endowed as it is with influence and power, would quietly stand by and witness the perpetration of the direst crime that ever stained the pages of history, and thus become participators in the sin."
Pointing out that English support had never yet, under any circum- stances, failed Belgium, M. Frère-Orban asked what interest could she have in weakening the position created for her by English statesmen, who had declared that their honour and interest were alike concerned in maintaining the neutrality and independence of Belgium.
This did not, however, relieve her from the obligation of arming to defend her neutrality, and of organising her forces so as to be able to make a good fight, even should the promised support fail her.
Foreign Office,
Junuary 30, 1911.
[1848 gg-3]
ALWYN PARKER.
D
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