[Protest against London Protocol.]

the Powers, in the interest of the general peace of Europe, to place under the guarantee of a joint promise the recognition of the inviolable right of sovereignty of that Empire.

As for the clause which, in case of the non-execution of the promised reforms, would give to the Powers the right of concerting ulterior measures, the Imperial Government regards it in the light of a further attack on its dignity and on its rights, a proceeding of intimidation calculated to deprive their action of all merit of spontaneity, and a source of grave complication for the present as well as for the future.

No consideration can arrest the Imperial Government in their determination to protest against the Protocol of the 31st of March (No. 483), and to consider it, as regards Turkey, as devoid of all equity, and consequently of all binding character.

In face of hostile suggestions, unmerited suspicions, and manifest violations of her rights-violations which are at the same time violations of international law-Turkey feels that she struggles at the present moment for her very existence.

Strong in the justice of her cause, and with confidence in God, she declares that she ignores what may have been decided without her and against her; determined to keep the place which Providence has thus destined to her, she will not cease to oppose to those attacks which are directed against her, the general principles of international right, and the authority of a great European compact which binds the honour of the Signatory Powers of the Protocol of the 31st of March (No. 483), which last has no legal validity in her eyes. She appeals to the conscience of the Cabinets which she is justified in considering as animated towards her with the same sentiments of equity and friendship as in the past. Immediate and simultaneous disarmament will be the only efficacious means of obviating the dangers with which the general peace is menaced.

The answer which the Imperial Government has just made to the declaration of the Ambassador of Russia gives the Powers a fitting opportunity to bring about this result, which surely they would not seek to obtain by persistently imposing on the Ottoman Empire sacrifices of right and of honour to which she will not consent.

You are instructed to read this Memorandum to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and to leave a copy of it with his Ex. cellency.

[Passage of Russian Troops through Roumania.]

No. 485.-CONVENTION between Roumania and Russia, for regulating the passage of Russian Troops through Roumania. Signed at Bucharest, 16th April, 1877.

1. Free Passage of Russian Army through Roumania. Russia to pay all Expenses.

2. Russia to maintain Political Rights of Roumania, and to maintain and defend her integrity.

3. Special Convention to be signed regulating the Details. 4. Ratifications.

(Translation as laid before Parliament.)

WORKING in accord with the other Great Powers for the amelioration of the conditions of existence of the Christians subject to the dominion of the Sultan, the Imperial Government of Russia drew the attention of the Guaranteeing Cabinets to the necessity of assuring in an efficacious manner the execution of the reforms demanded of the Porte.

As the excitement of the Mussulmans, and the visible weakness of the Ottoman Government, do not allow it to be hoped that serious measures will be taken for the execution on the part of the Turkish authorities, a military intervention from without may become necessary. In the case of the ulterior development of political affairs in the East forcing Russia to assume this task, and to direct her army into Turkey in Europe, the Imperial Government, desiring to respect the inviolability of the territory of the Roumanian State, has agreed to conclude with the Government of His Highness Prince Charles I a special Convention relative to the passage of the Russian troops through Roumania. Therefore were designated as Plenipotentiaries, on the part of His Imperial Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, Baron D. Stuart, State Counsellor, Diplomatic Agent and Consul-General of Russia in Roumania, Chevalier of the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd Class, St. Ann, 2nd Class, and Medjidie, 3rd Class, &c.; on the part of His Highness the Prince of Roumania, M. Cogalniceano, his Minister for Foreign Affairs, Grand Cross of the Order of St. Ann, 1st Class; Iron Cross, 1st Class; Medjidie, 1st Class, &c., who, after having exchanged

[Passage of Russian Troops through Roumania.]

their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed to the following:

Free Passage of Russian Army through Roumania.

ART. I. The Government of His Highness the Prince of Roumania, Charles I, assures to the Russian army, which will be called to go into Turkey, a free passage through Roumanian territory and the treatment reserved for friendly armies.

Russia to pay all Expenses.

All the expenses which may be occasioned for the necessities of the Russian army, for transport, and to satisfy all its requirements, fall naturally to the charge of the Imperial Government.

Russia to maintain Political Rights of Roumania, and to maintain and defend her Integrity.

ART. II. That no detriment nor danger may result to Roumania, from the fact of the passage of Russian troops on her territory, the Government of His Imperial Majesty of all the Russias undertakes to maintain and to cause to be respected the political rights of the Roumanian State, as resulting from internal laws and existing Treaties, as also to maintain and defend the actual integrity of Roumania.

Special Convention to be signed regulating the Details.

ART. III. All the details relative to the passage of Russian troops, their relations with the local authorities, as well as all arrangements which have to be made for this purpose, will form a Special Convention,* which will be signed by the Delegates of both Governments, and ratified at the same time as the present, and will come immediately into operation.

Ratifications.

ART. IV. The Government of His Highness the Prince of Roumania undertakes to obtain for the present Convention, as also for that mentioned in the preceding Article, the ratification required by the Roumanian laws, and to render immediately executory the stipulations therein contained.

*See page 2579 (No. 486).

[Passage of Russian Troops through Roumania.]

In faith of which the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed and sealed with their arms the present Convention. Done in Bucharest+th of April, in the year of Grace, 1877.

(L.S.) BARON DEMITRI STUART, Diplomatic Agent and Consul-General of Russia in Roumania.

(L.S.) M. COGALNICEANO,

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Roumania.

[An Additional Convention between Roumania and Russia, regulating the details for facilitating the Passage of Russian Troops through Roumania was signed at Bucharest on the 16th April, 1877. See No. 486].

4th

[Passage of Russian Troops through Roumania.]

No. 486.-ADDITIONAL CONVENTION between Roumania and Russia, regulating the Details for facilitating the Passage of Russian Troops through Roumania. Signed at Bucharest, 16th April, 1877.

(Translation as laid before Parliament.)

FOR the execution of Article III of the Convention signed this day (No. 485), the undersigned Plenipotentiaries have met to regulate, by the present Special Convention, the agreements relative to the passage of the Imperial Russian troops, as also their relations with the local authorities.

ART. I. The Roumanian Government accords to the Russian army the use of the railways, rivers, roads, Roumanian posts and telegraphs, and places at its disposition the material resources of the country, in the way of provisions, forage, and transport, in the manner and under the conditions stipulated in the following Articles ::

ART. II. The relations of the Russian military authorities with the local authorities will be made by means of Special Roumanian Commissary Commissioners named to that effect. One Principal Commissioner will be delegated to the Commander-in-Chief of the Russian troops during the whole time of their passage through Roumania.

ART. III. The Roumanian Commissioner will be charged to give information relative to the material resources (such as forage, provisions, firing, &c.) which the country can furnish during the passage of the Russian troops along the railways, as also on the banks of the Pruth and the Danube, indicating the approximate prices of these articles at the places where they are to be delivered, the quantities which could be supplied, and the time when deliveries could be made.

ART. IV. The Russian military authorities, after informing themselves of the particulars mentioned in the previous Article, will decide on the quantities of the products which will be necessary for them, and on the places where they shall be delivered, and they will arrange with the Roumanian Commissioner as to the mode of delivery.