[Rupture of Diplomatic Relations with Russia.] reason, which, according to the declaration of her Chargé d'Affaires at Constantinople, Russia would give now for her military action, in alleging the refusal of the Porte to accede to the proposals made to her by all the Powers, and to the Act signed by them. In drawing attention to the fact that this step exactly answers both the provisions of Article VIII of the Treaty of Paris, and the motives for rupture invoked by Russia, the Sublime Porte expresses its conviction that the friendly Powers, faithful to the sentiments of kindly interest which they have always displayed towards the Ottoman Empire, will seize this legitimate opportunity of staying the explosion of a great war, and thus sparing these countries the grievous extremities they are menaced with, and Europe herself the trouble and danger which would result from a conflict between the two States-a conflict all responsibility for which the Sublime Porte has the right to repudiate. Be good enough to read to, and leave a copy of this despatch with, the Government you are accredited to. [Passage of Russian Troops across the Frontier.] No. 492.-PROCLAMATION of the Roumanian Government, on the passage of Russian Troops across the Roumanian Frontier. Bucharest, 14th April, 1877. (Translation as laid before Parliament.) 11th 23rd On the morning of the April, the Government received from the Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire an invitation to come to an understanding with the Commander of the Turkish armies, his Excellency Abdul Kerim Pasha, to protect the Roumanian territory against the invasion of the Imperial Russian armies, which appears to be imminent. In the course of yesterday and this morning, the Prefects of the districts contiguous to Russian Bessarabia informed the Government that the Imperial Russian army had commenced the entrance into Roumania at three points: Bestimac, district Cahul, opposite the town of Leova, on the Pruth, where the "avant-garde" had arrived; Tabac, district Bolgrad; and Ungheni, the extremity of the railway, Jassy-Ungheni, the "avant-garde" having already entered Jassy (No. 487). Having these two facts in view, they having taken place before the Legislative Chambers can meet, the Government could not and cannot do otherwise than keep to the line of conduct traced out by the Legislative bodies in their last Session -the maintenance of the rights of Roumania and neutrality. Until the opening of Parliament, which takes place the day after to-morrow, the 14th April, when the country will be in a position to speak its decisive word, the Government, not wishing to take upon itself the responsibility of prejudicing this decision, has taken the following measures in the interest of public order :: 1. So as to avoid any conflict which might engage the nation before its voice has been expressed by its legislative organ, the Roumanian troops stationed on the frontier have received orders to withdraw into the interior, so as to avoid, on their part, any conflict which might draw the war into the interior of the country. 2. The Prefects of the districts on the froutiers, in the face of demands made by commanders of troops entered and which [Passage of Russian Troops across the Frontier.] may enter, are not to interfere as agents of the Central authority, but have to restrict themselves to acting as simple police functionaries, and by officious means to protect and warn the population against disorders and conflicts, leaving to the municipal authorities to represent the occupied communes "vis-à-vis" with the commanders of troops. 3. The population along the Danube has been made aware of the desirability of withdrawing, with their goods and property, to communes further from the frontier. Any fresh incident that may happen will be immediately made known to the public. Bucharest, 4th April, 1877, J. C. BRATIANO. M. COGALNICEANO. J. DOCAN. G. CHITU. J. CAMPINENU. [War with Turkey.] No. 493.-MANIFESTO of the Emperor of Russia announcing War with Turkey. St. Petersburgh, 24th April, 1877.* (Translation as laid before Parliament.) WE, Alexander II, by the Grace of God Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russias, &c., Make known : Our faithful and beloved subjects know the lively interest which we have always devoted to the destinies of the oppressed Christian population of Turkey. Our desire to ameliorate and guarantee their condition has been shared by the whole of the Russian nation, which shows itself ready to-day to make fresh sacrifices to relieve the condition of the Christians in the Balkan Peninsula. The life and property of our faithful subjects have always been dear to us. Our whole reign testifies to our constant anxiety to preserve to Russia the benefits of peace. This anxiety did not cease to animate us at the time of the sad events which came to pass in Herzegovina, Bosnia, and Bulgaria. We made it pre-eminently our object to attain the amelioration of the condition of Christians in the East by means of peaceful negotiations and concerted action with the great European Powers, our allies and friends. During two years we have made incessant efforts to induce the Porte to adopt such reforms as would protect the Christians of Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Bulgaria from the arbitrary rule of the local authorities. The execution of these reforms followed, as a direct obligation, from the anterior engagements solemnly contracted by the Porte in the sight of all Europe. Our efforts, although supported by the joint diplomatic representations of the other Governments, have not attained the desired end. The Porte has remained immovable in its categorical refusal of every effectual guarantee for the security of its Christian subjects, and The British Proclamation of Neutrality in this War was issued on the 30th of April, 1877. See "State Papers," Vol. 68, page 859. Declarations of Neutrality on the part of other States will also be found in the same Volume. [War with Turkey.] it rejected the demands of the Conference of Constantinople. Wishing to try all possible means of conciliation in order to persuade the Porte, we proposed to the other Cabinets to draw up a special Protocol, comprising the most essential conditions of the Conference of Constantinople, and to invite the Turkish Government to join this international action which traces the extreme limits of our peaceable demands. But our expectation was not realised. The Porte has not deferred to this unanimous wish of Christian Europe, and has not complied with the demands of the Protocol (No. 483). Having exhausted our peaceful efforts, we are obliged by the haughty obstinacy of the Porte to proceed to more determined action. The sentiment of equity and that of our own dignity render it imperative. Turkey, by its refusal, places us under the necessity of having recourse to arms. Deeply convinced of the justice of our cause, and relying in all humility upon the grace and assistance of the Most High, we make known to our faithful subjects that the moment foreseen by us when we pronounced these words, to which the whole of Russia answered with such unanimity, has actually arrived. We expressed our intention of acting independently should we deem it necessary, and should the honour of Russia require it (No. 473). To-day, in invoking the blessing of God upon our valiant armies, we give them the order to cross the frontier of Turkey. Given at Kischeneff, the 14th day of the month of April, of the year of Grace 1877, the 23rd of our reign. ALEXANDER. |