Page:Political and legal remedies for war.djvu/160

154 At the time of the War of 1870, between France and the  North German Confederation, this infirmity in the securities for the Neutrality of Belgium — which, from its situation, was so peculiarly exposed to violations of its Neutrality on the sides of both of the Belligerents — attracted the attention of the British Government, and two Treaties were concluded at London, on the 9th and 11th of August, between Great Britain and Prussia, and Great Britain and France, respectively, the language of the two Treaties being almost identical, and the purpose of each of them being to provide that if either of the Belligerents violated the Neutrality of Belgium, Great Britain and the other Belligerent would co-operate jointly "in taking measures separately, or in common, to secure the Neutrality and Independence of Belgium." The Treaties were to be in force during the War, and for twelve months after the ratification of any Treaty of Peace.

Luxemburg is another small State which has played rather a conspicuous part in the recent history of Neutralization, and which, therefore, throws light on its true nature and possible uses in the future.

On the 11th May, 1867, a Treaty was concluded at London between Austria, Great Britain, Belgium, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Prussia, and Russia, for the purpose of "maintaining the ties which attach the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg to the House of Orange-Nassau, Neutralizing the Duchy," and making such provisions for the evacuation and demolition of its fortresses as its new position of permanent Neutrality seemed to demand.

The 2d Article of this Treaty is as follows: "The Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, within the limits determined by the Act annexed to the Treaties of the 19th of April, 1839, under the Guarantee of the Courts of Great Britain, Austria, France, Prussia, and Russia, shall henceforth form a perpetually Neutral State. It shall be bound to observe the same Neutrality toward