It would seem a matter of surprise that this little section of earth, which is not of sufficient importance to prevent a settlement between its claimants, should be allowed to remain under a temporary government which has already lasted more than sixty-five years.
In explanation, it may be stated that neither of the neighboring states can secure exclusive possession of its rich zinc mines. In 1421 these mines belonged to Aix-la-Chapelle, and afterwards to the Dukes of Limburg, who rented them to Philip the Good, Duke of Burgundy; but under these managers they acquired no success. Under the French Republic they were declared national property, and were worked as such, and in 1805 were leased. Some years later, France having promulgated a law, by virtue of which persons having leases of mines belonging to the state became proprietors of them, the lessee of "Viéille Montagne" no longer paid rent. But this did not prevent his bankruptcy, and the property passed into the hands of his creditors and a citizen of Liége, who worked it on joint account. At the downfall of the French Empire the mines were placed under the temporary management of Holland and Prussia, who refused to recognize the right of ownership acquired by tenants under the French law, and in 1821 made a demand for back rent since 1812. The matter was carried before the tribunal at Liége, which gave judgment in favor of the governments. The execution of the judgment, having met with opposition, was suspended. In the mean time the Belgian revolution of 1830 broke out. Belgium became the successor of Holland's rights and interests in Moresnet, and declared itself opposed to the decision of the court at Liége. Prussia, on the other hand, persisted in demanding the rents in arrears, but was thwarted in the attempts to recover them by the neutrality of the territory and the opposition of Belgium.
The existence of Moresnet as a neutral territory depends upon the duration of its mines. When they are exhausted the interest
