And what was it, gentlemen, that, within a few months of that
declaration, led this pacific Minister to war? It was the invasion of
the treaty rights guaranteed by ourselves of a small European State, the
then States General of Holland. [Cheers.] For nearly 200 years the great
powers of Europe had guaranteed to Holland the exclusive navigation of
the River Scheldt. The French revolutionary Government invaded what is
now Belgium, and as a first act of hostility to Holland declared the
navigation of the Scheldt to be open. Our interest in that matter then,
as now, was relatively small and insignificant, but what was Mr. Pitt's
reply?
Defense of Small States.
I quote you the exact words he used in the House of Commons, they are so
applicable to the circumstances of the present moment. This is in 1793:
England will never consent that another country should arrogate the
power of annulling, at her pleasure, the political system of
Europe, established by solemn treaties and guaranteed by the
consent of the powers. [Cheers.]
He went on to say:
This House [the House of Commons] means substantial good faith to
its engagements. If it retains a just sense of the solemn faith of
treaties, it must show a determination to support them.
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