The only act complained of which is like a violation
of neutral- ity is this negligence of Luxemburg in not withdrawing M. de Cussy's exequatur, when it was known that he was meddling on the French side. As for selling provisions to Thionville and expressing sympathy with the French, these are no more violations of neutrality in Luxemburg than very much stronger forms of the same acts were in Prussia, when she helped Russia during the Crimean War. As for the omission to put an end to the official dealings with M. de Cussy, it was no doubt culpable in the Government of Luxemburg ; but when Count Bismarck makes it an excuse for withdrawing from the Treaty of 1867, it is impossible .to understand him in any sense except that in which the lamb -understood the wolf's complaint of its troubling of the waters. He wants to complete his array of Eastern fortresses with the restora- tion of Luxemburg—a step which the neutral Powers who gave the guarantee ought not to permit, and, as we hope, will not permit. Lord Derby (then Lord Stanley) was very anxious to show in 1867 that he meant nothing at all by giving our guarantee. But England should decline to accept Lord Derby's valuation of her pledged word.
