interests of the security of his Empire should cause him to recognize the necessity of the presence of the vessels of war of the friendly Powers;'-and the wording which I propose would fulfil the object of Article II. of the Draft; for, if it is believed that the security of the Ottoman Empire is only menaced from the side of Russia, it is evidently only to the vessels of war of the non-Riverain Powers that the Sublime Porte will open the two Straits.

"Permit me, gentlemen, to explain to you in a few words the reasons which compel me to submit this amendment to you.

"In the first place, the wording of the Draft contains a restriction of the rights of sovereignty and independence of the Ottoman Empire; and I entertain the hope that the Plenipotentiaries, who have thought it expedient to suppress the stipulations relative to the neutralization of the Black Sea, for the very reason that they contained clauses restrictive of the rights of sovereignty of the two Riverain Powers, will not think it just to offer to the Sublime Porte, in return for its consent and by way of equivalent, a right tied down by a clause equally restrictive and exclusively affecting its rights of sovereignty.

"In the second place, I will take the liberty of observing that the wording of the Draft has, further, the appearance of being directed against Russia. As I had the honour of declaring in the last sitting, the Sublime Porte, which would doubtless have preferred that the stipulations relative to the neutralization of the Black Sea should have been maintained, nevertheless desires sincerely to see removed every subject of uneasiness and irritation in the relations of friendship and good_neighbourhood between the two Riverain Powers. Now the wording of the Draft contains, in my opinion, the same germ of uneasiness and irritation between these two Powers; it is calculated to wound or offend Russia; it represents Turkey as having to maintain an attitude of constant distrust towards that Power; it might be interpreted as placing on record, in a public and solemn instrument, the existence of an antagonism between the co-signatary Powers.

"I hope, therefore, that the Plenipotentiaries will be pleased, in a spirit of equity, to adopt an amendment which, while fulfilling the same end, would remove whatever restrictive and exclusive features attach to the proposed wording."

The Plenipotentiary of Austria-Hungary supports the original form of Article II. of the Draft; and proposes, in order

to make the wording more clear, to add after "non-Riverain Powers" the words "of the Black Sea." He reserves to him. self the right of proposing the addition to the Treaty of certain Articles relating to the Danube, which he has already communicated confidentially to his colleagues; and he points out that these Articles ought to precede Article IV. of the Draft, in order to be logically comprised in the modifications to be introduced into the Treaty of Paris.

The Plenipotentiary of Germany adheres to the Articles of the Draft, and expresses a wish that those among the Plenipotentiaries who are more especially interested in Count d'Apponyi's amendment should first pronounce themselves on that subject.

The Plenipotentiary of Russia observes that the four Articles of the Draft form a certain entirety, and that it would be better not to separate them.

The Plenipotentiary of Great Britain is of opinion that the Conference will probably agree on the question of the prolongation of the European Commission of the Danube, and that, in that case, the Articles attaching to it ought to precede instead of following Article IV. He proposes, therefore, to the Plenipotentiary of Austro-Hungary to give his consent to the four Articles, with the reservation that the arrangement which he has asked for shall be made later.

The Plenipotentiary of Italy announces that he has been authorized by his Court to accept the four Articles; but he understands Count d'Apponyi's scruples, and believes that it will be better to postpone the acceptance of Article IV., and only to insert it after all the alterations to be made in the Treaty of Paris have been decided on, and when there is no longer occasion to make any others. For his part he would not oppose the addition of the words "of the Black Sea" at the end of Article II., as the explanation of the natural sense of that Article.

The Plenipotentiary of Germany says that he can support this view, adding, however, that he does not think the words "of the Black Sea" necessary, since there can be no doubt as to the sense of the words "non-Riverain Powers," and that for this reason he will not vote for the addition of the four words unless all the other Plenipotentiaries accept them.

Count d'Apponyi allows that, as to form, the terms of Article IV. are sufficiently general to be applicable at the end of any provision which it may be thought fit to insert. He maintains, however, his reservation as to the acceptance of that Article.

The Plenipotentiary of Russia declares that he has placed before His Majesty the Emperor the Memorandum of the four Articles which had been the result of a friendly consultation between the members of the Conference. It was by the telegraph that he reported them to His Majesty, and the next day he received authority to sign the Protocol of the second sitting, and to agree to the Articles in question.

As to the observations of the Ottoman Ambassador, Baron de Brunnow, while appreciating the feelings by which they have been dictated, requests permission to communicate to the Plenipotentiaries the impression which they have made on him.

He is anxious to state, in the first place, that he entered the Conference in a sincere spirit of conciliation, and with the object of arranging a system of mutual understanding among the Powers. It is with these feelings that he has listened to the words of Musurus Pasha. The principal object of the Emperor's policy being to maintain a real harmony among the Powers, it is very far from his wish to examine closely what might become a motive of distrust and discord between them. For his part, Baron de Brunnow in no way admits an eventuality which he should consider as a great misfortune for Europe, and which would tend to disunite the Great Powers, and, which God forbid, to provoke a conflict between them.

"You know, gentlemen," he says, "that in commanding me to take part in the deliberations of this Conference, the express wish of my august master has been to prevent any controversy which might tend to open the Eastern Question. Devoting myself to the strict fulfilment of the Emperor's intentions, I am resolved to avoid any consideration calculated to recall in this Assembly the memories of the past. The principal object of this Conference is, in my views, to efface those memories. For, according to my inmost convictions, the peace of Europe is never better secured than when the Great Powers, in their relations with one another, know how to make allowance for the feeling of dignity and independence which is deeply rooted in the heart of every nation. It is agreeable to me to be able to affirm, as I do at this mo:nent, that the Plenipotentiaries assembled in this Conference have all been animated by a sincere desire to take into account the national feeling which has pronounced itself strongly in Russia, as regards the expediency of revising in a spirit of equity and concord those of the stipulations of the Treaty of Paris, which, made

under the influence of the then too recent events of the war, are now no longer in harmony with the condition of affairs produced by the state of peace happily re-established in the East.

"According to the instructions with which I am provided, the principal object of the present Conference consists in confirming this state of peace and securing its continuance. I believe myself to be fulfilling this intention by adhering to the arrangement agreed upon between us after the sitting of January 24, and of which the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs has given the substance at the opening of the present meeting.

"My Government has already given its consent to the four Articles mentioned in that arrangement. At the same time, I think it my duty to repeat to the Ambassador of Turkey the assurance that I shall not fail to bring to the knowledge of the Imperial Cabinet the expression of the friendly disposition which he has manifested in the name of his Majesty the Sultan, as regards the relations of good understanding happily established between the two neighbouring Empires. If I may be allowed on my part to add a single hope on this occasion, it is that the system of confidence and harmony established between all the great Powers of Europe may be considered as the best guarantee for the tranquillity, the security, and the prosperity of Turkey."

The Plenipotentiary of Great Britain wishes to state that, after the fortunate result of the first sitting, he placed himself in confidential communication with the other Plenipotentiaries, and found them all animated by a spirit of conciliation, of equity, and impartiality, and desiring to seek the solution of a question-which certainly was not without difficulty-in a manner satisfactory to all the Powers represented in the Conference, and calcu lated to confirm good feeling and friendly relations, especially between the two Empires of Russia and Turkey.

Earl Granville does not deny that in looking for such a solution he was extremely desirous to follow the initiative of the Sublime Porte. If on this occasion he does not side with the opinion of the Plenipotentiary of Turkey, it is solely because the wording in question seems to him to be more in conformity with the interests of the Ottoman Empire and of all the Powers who have guaranteed its integrity and independence. This solution seems also to him to be that on which it will be easiest to come to an agreement.

He remarks that the Plenipotentiary of Turkey has urged two arguments as regards the wording of Article II.-first,

the expressions made use of by the Plenipotentiary of Russia do not seem to him to convey an explicit approval of that wording; that, moreover, he does not wish to enter into an examination of the motives for the assent of Russia, and that he merely takes into consideration the effect which such wording might produce on public opinion in different countries.

He begs the Plenipotentiary of Germany to give his opinion on this question, and quotes the words in which that Plenipotentiary had recommended to the Conference in its first sitting the revision of the stipulations of the Treaty of Paris relative to the Black Sea, founding his argument in favour of the revision of these stipulations on their restrictive character, which is calculated to maintain a state of uneasiness between Russia and Turkey.

Count de Bernstorff replies that he has not altered his views on the subject; but that the principal object of his Government has been to contribute in bringing about a general understanding between the Powers who signed the Treaty of Paris of 1856, and that his instructions direct him to make every effort to attain this object.

The Ambassador of Turkey, after having remarked that his instructions were very peremptory as regards the proposed amendment, declares that, deferring to the desire expressed by the other Plenipotentiaries, he will refer the matter to his Court.

Passing to the question of the freedom and navigation of the Danube, the Plenipotentiary of Austria-Hungary remarks that this question was settled by the Treaty of Paris at the same time as that of the neutralization of the Black Sen. He says that this circumstance confirms the close connexion which exists between these two questions, and this it is which has induced the Austro-Hungarian Government to submit to the Conference two proposals, which he recommends the more to their attention as they are intended to facilitate the settlement of two questions equally urgent; one that of the Riverain Commission, the meetings of which have been suspended for a number of years; the other that of the works to be executed at the passage of the "Iron Gates" and of the "Cataracts," and which are imperatively required by the interests of commerce and navigation.

Count d'Apponyi has thought it best to put these two proposals in the form of Articles, intended to modify those in the Treaty of Paris which relate to the question of the Danube.

These Articles would be of the following

tenor, and should necessarily precede Article IV. of the present Draft, which stipulates that all the arrangements of the Treaty of March 30, 1856, which have not been abrogated or modified, preserve their full validity::

ARTICLE (A).

The conditions of the re-assembling of the Riverain Commission, established by Article XVII. of the Treaty of Paris March 30, 1856, shall be fixed by a previous agreement between the Riverain Powers, and in so far as any modification of Article XVII. of the said Treaty may be involved, by a special Convention between the co-signatary Powers.

ARTICLE (B).

Having regard to the interests of commerce, to the urgency and magnitude of the works necessary to remove the impediments and dangers which interfere with the navigation of the Danube in the passage of the Cataracts and the Iron Gates, His Majesty the Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary will arrange with his co-Riverains of that part of the river as to the technical and financial conditions of an operation designed to remove the abovementioned impediments by means of works to be undertaken by the Imperial and Royal Government.

The rule established by Article XV. of the Treaty of Paris, to wit, that there shall not be levied any toll founded solely upon the fact of the navigation of the river, is declared inapplicable to the works considered necessary in the above-mentioned part of the river, undertaken by the States possessing the shores of that part of the river at their own expense.

The toll to be levied eventually shall be equal for all flags. Its produce shall only serve to cover the expenses of interest and redemption of the capital employed in the said works, and it shall cease to be levied as soon as the capital shall have been repaid.

The President proposes to substitute for the last sentence of Article (B), beginning with the words, Its produce," &c., the following amendment:—

"Its amount and the conditions under which it shall be applied shall be arranged and fixed in agreement with the European Powers represented by their delegates. It shall be fixed so as to cover the expenses of interest and redemption of the capital employed in the said works, and so as not to impose on commerce a burden greater than it now bears. It shall cease to be levied as soon as the capital shall have been repaid."

The Plenipotentiary of Italy observes that the toll being established to reimburse the expenses of the works to be executed in the Danube, it ought not to be imposed upon ships which do not pass through the places where the works have been executed, and which would not profit by these same works. He inquires whether it is the intention of the Plenipotentiary who has proposed this Article, and of the Plenipotentiaries who may be disposed to accept it, to establish the toll so that it may not fall on ships which do not pass the parts of the river in which the works shall have been executed.

All the Plenipotentiaries acknowledge the justice of the principle laid down by the Plenipotentiary of Italy.

The Plenipotentiary of Russia stated that the works mentioned in Article (B) are contained in a district placed entirely without the habitual limits of the commercial and industrial activity of Russia, and that, consequently, the Imperial Government cannot undertake any share in the expenses of establishment or the financial guarantees which may result from those works.

This observation met with no objection on the part of the members of the Conference.

The Plenipotentiary of Great Britain proposes that the following Article, having for its object the prolongation of the European Commission of the Danube, shall also be inserted in the Draft of Treaty:

ARTICLE.

"The Commission established by Ar. ticle XVI. of the Treaty of Paris, in which the Powers who joined in signing that Treaty are each represented by a Delegate, and which was charged with the designation and execution of the works necessary below Isaktcha, to clear the mouths of the Danube, as well as the neighbouring parts of the Black Sea from the sands and other impediments which obstruct them, in order to put that part of the river and the said parts of the sea in the best state for navigation, is maintained in its present composition; the limits of its competence are extended up to the port of Ibraila, in order to provide for a purely commercial requirement, and without this extension being open to be interpreted as a precedent for future extensions. Its duration is fixed for a further period of twenty-six years, counting from the 24th April, 1871, being the term of the redemption of the loan contracted by that Commission under the guarantee of Germany, Austria, France, Great Britain,

Italy, and Turkey, and of the repayment of the advances made by Turkey to the Commission."

Lord Granville, in proposing this Article, says that the combination which he would have preferred to any would have been the indefinite prolongation of the European Commission; but that as this opinion met with numerous objections, he confined himself to proposing a prolongation of twenty-six years, a term which he believes to be necessary to finish the great works which remain to be executed at the mouths of the Danube.

The Plenipotentiaries of Germany and Italy declare that they have no instructions as to the extension of the limits of the European Commission to Ibraila, and the Plenipotentiary of Russia joins in this declaration.

As to the duration of the Commission, the Plenipotentiary of Italy says that he is authorized to give his vote for either of the two terms proposed by Lord Granville.

The Plenipotentiary of Germany declares that his instructions would also permit him to vote even for the indefinite prolongation of the term, if all the other Plenipotentiaries were of this opinion, but that since there are some of them who could only accept a prolongation of twelve years, he must confine himself to this latter term.

The Plenipotentiaries of Austria-Hungary and of Russia announce that their instructions direct them not to consent to a longer term than that of twelve years.

The Plenipotentiary of Turkey says that he accepts the principle of the prolongation of the powers of the European Commission of the Danube, but that he has no instructions as to the term of that prolongation. He is equally without instructions as regards the extension of the limits of the European Commission and with regard to the question of the works to be carried out in the Danube. He will request instructions from his Government on these various points.

The President then consents to the insertion of the term of twelve years in the Article in question, and proposes the Article in the shape in which it is reproduced in the Annex, expressing at the same time a hope that at the next meeting the other Plenipotentiaries will find themselves in a position to consent to the prolongation being for twenty-six years, as well as to the extension to Ibraila which has been discussed.

The President adds that he continues to regret greatly the absence of a French