ARTICLE VII. The Central Federal Commission has the right, when it deems it necessary, to examine individuals itself. It shall apply to the superior state authorities, or to the authorities which have been indicated to them in accordance with Article VI, to stop proceedings. In cases of unavoidable necessity recognized by the Central Commission, such persons are, upon demand of the said Commission, addressed to the superior state authorities or the local authorities above mentioned, to be arrested and sent under secure guard to Mainz. ARTICLE VIII. The necessary provisions shall be made in the town where the Commission sits, for the safe-keeping of individuals of this class sent thither. The expenses of the Commission, as well as of the investigation itself, are to be borne by the Confederation. ARTICLE IX.2 ARTICLE X. The Central Investigating Commission is moreover to furnish the Diet from time to time, with a report of the results of the investigation, which is to be carried out as speedily as possible. The Diet shall, in accordance with the individual results, or with the general outcome of the whole investigation, take the necessary measures for opening judicial proceedings. 1 Article VI requires the states to inform the Commission of the local authorities which are conducting investigations. 2 Article IX provides that the Commission may turn to the Diet if necessary for more detailed instructions. V. CIRCULAR NOTE FROM THE COURTS OF AUSTRIA RUSSIA AND PRUSSIA. DATED FROM TROPPAU, DECEMBER 8, 1820. From Martens: Nouveau Recueil de Traités, Tome V., pp. 592-5. The revolutions which broke out in 1820 in the southern part of Europe led to the extension of repressive measures beyond the boundaries of individual states. A system of international intervention was concerted by the leading reactionary monarchs with a view of preventing revolutionary movements The plan is so carefully and characteristically elaborated in the circular of Troppau that further explanation is uncalled for. Having been informed of the false and exaggerated rumors which have been circulated by ill-intentioned and credulous persons in regard to the results of the conferences at Troppau, the allied courts deemed it necessary to transmit authentic explanations to their representatives at foreign courts, in order to enable them to refute the erroneous ideas to which these rumors have given rise. The brief report here annexed will enable them to do this, and although it is not proposed to make this the subject of a formal communication the contents may be imparted in a confidential manner. They shall arrange the measures to be taken in this matter with the ministers of the two other allied powers. Troppau, December 8, 1820. BRIEF REVIEW OF THE FIRST RESULTS OF THE CONFERENCES AT TROPPAU. The events which took place in Spain, March 8, at Naples, July 2, as well as the catastrophe in Portugal, could not but arouse a feeling of the deepest indignation, apprehension and sorrow in those who are called upon to guard the tranquillity of the nations and at the same time, emphasize the necessity of uniting in order to determine in common the means of checking the misfortunes which threaten to envelop Europe. It was but natural that these sentiments should leave a deep impression upon those powers which had but lately stifled revolution and who now beheld it once more raise its head. Nor was it less natural that these powers, in encountering revolution for the third time, should have recourse to the same methods which they had employed with so much success in the memorable struggle which freed Europe from a yoke she had borne for twenty years. Everything encouraged the hope that that alliance formed in the most critical circumstances, crowned with the most brilliant success and strengthened by the conventions of 1814, 1815 and 1818, as it had prepared the way for, established and assured the peace of the world and delivered the European Continent from the military representatives of Revolution, so it would be able to check a new form of oppression, not less tyrannical and fearful, that of revolt and crime. Such were the motives and the aim of the meeting at Troppau. The motives are too obvious to need further explanation. The aim is so honorable and justifiable that the best wishes of all right minded persons will doubtless accompany the allied courts into the noble arena they are about to enter. This undertaking which is imposed upon them by their most sacred engagements is a grave and difficult one. But an encouraging presentiment leads them to hope that, by invariably maintaining the spirit of the treaties to which Europe is indebted for the peace and union which reigns amongst its various states, they will attain their end. The Powers are exercising an incontestable right in taking common measures in respect to those states in which the overthrow of the government through a revolt, even ifit be considered simply as a danger. ous example, may result in a hostile attitude toward all constitutions and legitimate governments. The exercise of this right becomes an urgent necessity when those who have placed themselves in this situation seek to extend to their neighbors the ills which they have brought upon themselves and to promote revolt and confusion around them. A situation of this kind and such conduct is an obvious infraction of the arrangement which guarantees to all European governments, in addition to the inviolability of their territory, the enjoyment of peaceful relations, which excludes all reciprocal encroachment upon their rights. This is the incontestable fact which the allied courts have made their point of departure. Hence the ministers, who might be furnished at Troppau even with positive instructions on the part of their monarchs, came to an agreement upon the plan of action to be followed in regard to those states where the governments had been overturned by violence, and upon the pacific or coercive measures which might bring these states once more into the European alliance, in case the allies could succeed in exercising a distinct, salutary influence. The results of their deliberations were transmitted to the courts of Paris and London, in order that these might take them into consideration. Nothing could menace more directly the tranquillity of the neighboring states than the revolution at Naples, gaining ground as it did daily. In view of the fact that the allied courts could not be attacked so promptly and immediately as these, it was deemed expedient to proceed in regard to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies according to the principles above enunciated. In order to prepare conciliatory measures toward this end, the monarchs, convened at Troppau, resolved to ask the King of the Two Sicilies to meet them at Laibach, with the single aim of freeing his majesty from all external compulsion and placing this monarch in the position of mediator between his erring people and the states whose tranquillity they threaten. The monarchs, having resolved in no case to recognize governments set up by a revolt, can only negotiate with the king in person, and their ministers and agents in Naples have been instructed to this effect. France and England have been requested to co-operate in these measures and it is to be anticipated that they will not refuse since the principle upon which the request is based is completely in accord with the treaties which they have entered into, and affords moreover a guarantee of the fairest and most peaceful intentions. The system pursued in concert by Prussia, Austria and Russia is in no way new. It is based upon the same principles as those upon which the conventions rested which created the alliance of the European states. The intimate union among the courts which form the nucleus of this Confederation, can only gain hereby in strength and permanence. The alliance will be consolidated by the same means which the powers, to whom it owes its origin, used in its formation, and which have caused the system to be adopted by all the other powers convinced of its advantages which are more incontestable than ever. Moreover, it is needless to prove that the resolutions taken by the Powers are in no way to be attributed to the idea of conquest, nor to any intention of interfering with the independence of other governments in their internal administration, nor lastly, to the purpose of preventing wise improvements freely carried out and in harmony with the true interests of the people. Their only desire is to preserve and maintain peace to deliver Europe from the scourge of revolution and to obviate or lessen the ills which arise from the violation of the precepts of order and morality. On such terms, these Powers believe that they may, as a reward for their solicitude and exertions, count upon the unanimous approval of the world. FROM THE ORIGINAL SOURCES OF EUROPEAN HISTORY. Anselme of Ribemont to Manasses II., Archbishop of 2. Stephen, Count of Blois and Chartres, to his wife, I. Frederic II. to Henry III. of England, 1229, · 40 |