[War. Russia and Turkey.] which have been offered to it; since the benevolent efforts of the High Powers have been fruitless; since, finally, the Porte can no longer tolerate or endure the existing state of things, as well as the prolonged occupation of the Moldo-Wallachian Principalities, which are integral parts of its Empire; the Ottoman Cabinet, with the fixed and laudable intention of defending the sacred Rights of Sovereignty and the Independence of its Government, will resort to just Reprisals against a violation of Treaties which it looks upon as a casus belli. It, therefore, officially makes known that the Government of His Majesty the Sultan is obliged to declare War, and that it has given the most positive instructions to his Excellency Omer Pasha to call upon Prince Gortchakoff to evacuate the Principalities, and to commence hostilities if, within 15 days after the arrival of his letter at the Russian headquarters, a negative answer should reach him. It is well understood that if Prince Gortchakoff's answer is in the negative, the Russian agents must quit the Ottoman dominions, and that the Commercial Relations of the respective subjects of the two Governments must be interrupted. The Sublime Porte, however, does not consider it just that, agreeably to ancient usage, an embargo should be laid on Russian merchant-vessels. Accordingly, they will be warned to proceed, within a period to be fixed hereafter, to the Black Sea or to the Mediterranean, as they may choose. Moreover, the Imperial Government, being unwilling to interrupt the Cominercial Relations of the subjects of friendly Powers, will leave the Straits open to their mercantile marine during the War. Moharrem 1, 1270 [4th October, 1853]. [War. Russia and Turkey.] No. 235.-RUSSIAN DECLARATION of War against Turkey. Tsarskoe-Selo, 20th October, 1853. 1st November (Translation as laid before Parliament.) By the Grace of GoD, We, Nicolas I, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias, &c. Make known: Br our Manifesto of the 14th June of the present year, we acquainted our well-beloved and faithful subjects with the motives which have compelled us to demand of the Ottoman Porte inviolable guarantees in favour of the sacred rights of the Orthodox Church. We likewise announced to them that all our efforts to recall the Porte, by means of friendly persuasion, to sentiments of equity, and to the faithful observance of Treaties, had been ineffectual; and that we had consequently deemed it indispensable to advance our troops into the Danubian Principalities. But in adopting this measure we still entertained the hope that the Porte would admit its errors and would determine to conform to our just demands. Our expectation has been deceived. To no purpose even have the Principal Powers of Europe sought by their exhortations to shake the blind obstinacy of the Ottoman Government. It has replied to the pacific efforts made by Europe, as well as to our forbearance, by a Declaration of War (No. 234), and by a Proclamation replete with false accusations against Russia. Finally, embodying in the ranks of its army the Revolutionists of all countries, the Porte has commenced hostilities on the Danube.* Russia is challenged to the fight; nothing, therefore, remains for her, but, in confident reliance upon God, to have recourse to arms in order to compel the Ottoman Government to respect Treaties, and obtain from it reparation by which it has responded to our most moderate demands, and to our * The Turkish army crossed the Danube at Widdin, and occupied Kalafat on the 3rd November, 1853. [War. Russia and Turkey.] legitimate solicitude for the defence of the Orthodox faith in the East which is equally professed by the Russian people. We are firmly convinced that our faithful subjects will join in the fervent prayers which we address to the Most High, that His hand may be pleased to bless our arms in the holy and just cause which has ever found ardent defenders in our pious ancestors. "In Thee, LORD, have I trusted: let me never be confounded.” Given at Tsarskoe-Selo, this 20th of October, in the year 1853, and the 28th of our Reign. NICOLAS. [Conferences were held at Vienna between the Representatives of Great Britain, Austria, France, and Prussia, and Protocols were signed on the 5th December, 1853; and on the 13th January, 2nd February, and 5th March, 1854; with the object of stopping the War between Russia and Turkey by Friendly Intervention, but they led to no result.] [Bay of Jahde.] No. 236.—SUPPLEMENTARY ARRANGEMENT ART. between Prussia and Oldenburg, respecting the Bay of Jahde. Signed at Berlin, 1st December, 1853. TABLE. Preamble. Reference to Treaty of 20th July, 1853. 1. Money Compensation for Cessions in Bay of Jahde to Prussia. Reference to Treaty of 20th July, 1853. On entering into the Treaty concluded on the 20th of July, 1853 (No. 233), between Prussia and Oldenburg, for the Protection by Prussia of the Maritime Commerce and Navigation of Oldenburg, and for the Cession by Oldenburg to Prussia of two portions of Territory in the Bay of Jahde, for the formation of a Fortified Harbour, it was agreed that Prussia, in consideration of the Cession of Territory by Oldenburg, and in addition to the obligations expressly undertaken in the said Treaty, had further to pay to Oldenburg a Compensation in cash, the precise settlement whereof was to be reserved for further negotiations, and thereafter for a Supplemental Stipulation to the principal Treaty. Now that these negotiations having been brought to a close, the Plenipotentiaries of the two Parties have agreed upon the following Supplemental Stipulation, which is to have the same duration, force, and validity as if it were contained in the principal Treaty. Money Compensation for Cessions in Bay of Jahde to Prussia. ART. I. The Money-compensation to be paid by Prussia to Oldenburg for the Cession of two portions of Territory in the Bay of Jahde, for the formation of a Fortified Harbour, amounts to 500,000 thalers, Prussian currency, in addition to what is expressly undertaken to be done in the Treaty of 20th July, 1853 (No. 233). Term within which Money is to be Paid. ART. II. The sum of 500,000 thalers currency is to be paid by Prussia to Oldenburg within 3 years, reckoned from the pub [Bay of Jahde.] lication of the Treaty of 20th July, 1853, and is to bear interest at 4 per cent. per annum from 1st May, 1855. Ratifications. The foregoing Supplemental Stipulation shall be ratified by the respective Sovereigns, and the Ratifications shall be prepared within 3 weeks. In witness whereof this present has been prepared in duplicate, has been subscribed by the Plenipotentiaries of both parties, and sealed with their Seals. Done and executed at Berlin, 1st December, 1853. (L.S.) DR. ERNST GAEBLER. (L.S.) ALBRECHT JOHANNES THEODOR ERDMANN. |