2-710-966 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'The "Scrap of Paper" ', (1919). 'This document is a translation and facsimile of signatures from the original treaty of 1831 guaranteeing the independence and neutrality of Belgium, which was confirmed by the six Powers in the famous treaty of 1839, the breaking of which by Germany is responsible for the present war with the British Empire. "The Scrap of Paper". Article II. Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, His Majesty the Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary and Bohemia, His Majesty the King of the French, His Majesty the King of Prussia, and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, declare, that the Articles mentioned in the preceding Article, are considered as having the same force and validity as if they were textually inserted in the present Act, and that they are thus placed under the guarantee of their said Majesties. Article VII. Belgium, within the limits specified in Articles I, II and IV shall form an independent and perpetually neutral state. It shall be bound to observe such neutrality towards all other states.' The plenipotentiary signatories were: Lord Palmerston, Great Britain; Sylvain Van De Weyer, Belgium; Count of Senfft-Pilsach, Austria; Horace François Bastien Sébastiani de La Porta, France; Heinrich von Bulow, Prussia; Carlo Andrea Pozzo di Borgo, Russia. From "The History of the Great European War: its causes and effects", Vol. III, by W. Stanley Macbean Knight. [Caxton Pulishing Company, Limited, London, 1919]