[Batoum, Ardahan, Kars, Cyprus. Reforms.]

to the populations of the Asiatic provinces the requisite confidence that Turkish rule in Asia is not destined to a speedy

fall.

There are, however, two conditions which it would be necessary for the Porte to subscribe before England could give such

assurance.

Reforms in Asiatic Turkey.

Her Majesty's Government intimated to the Porte, on the occasion of the Conference at Constantinople, that they were not prepared to sanction misgovernment and oppression, and it will be requisite, before they can enter into any agreement for the defence of the Asiatic territories of the Porte in certain eventualities, that they should be formally assured of the intention of the Porte to introduce the necessary Reforms into the government of the Christian and other subjects of the Porte in these regions. It is not desirable to require more than an engagement in general terms; for the specific measures to be taken could only be defined after a more careful inquiry and deliberation than could be secured at the present juncture.

It is not impossible that a careful selection and a faithful support of the individual officers to whom power is to be entrusted in those countries would be a more important element in the improvement of the condition of the people than even legislative changes, but the assurance required to give England a right to insist on satisfactory arrangements for these purposes will be an indispensable part of any agreement to which Her Majesty's Government could consent.

Cyprus.

It will further be necessary, in order to enable Her Majesty's Government efficiently to execute the engagements now proposed, that they should occupy a position near the coast of Asia Minor and Syria. The proximity of British officers, and, if necessary, British troops, will be the best security that all the objects of this agreement shall be attained. The Island of Cyprus appears to them to be in all respects the most available for this object. Her Majesty's Government do not wish to ask the Sultan to alienate territory from his sovereignty, or to diminish the receipts which now pass into his Treasury. They will, therefore, propose that, while the administration and occupation of the island shall be

[Batoum, Ardahan, Kars, Cyprus. Reforms.]

assigned to Her Majesty, the territory shall still continue to be part of the Ottoman Empire, and that the excess of the revenue over the expenditure, whatever it at present may be, shall be paid over annually by the British Government to the Treasury of the Sultan.

Inasmuch as the whole of this proposal is due to the annexations which Russia has made in Asiatic Turkey, and the conscquences which it is apprehended will flow therefrom, it must be fully understood that if the cause of the danger should cease, the precautionary agreement will cease at the same time. If the Government of Russia should at any time surrender to the Porte the territory it has acquired in Asia by the recent war, the stipulations in the proposed agreements will cease to operate, and the island will be immediately evacuated.

Proposed Convention.

I request, therefore, your Excellency to propose to the Porte to agree to a Convention to the following effect, and I have to convey to you full authority to conclude the same on behalf of the Queen and of Her Majesty's Government:

"If Batoum, Ardahan, Kars, or any of them shall be retained by Russia, and if any attempt shall be made at any future time by Russia to take possession of any further portion of the Asiatic territories of the Sultan, as fixed by the definitive Treaty of Peace, England engages to join the Sultan in defending them by force of arms. In return, the Sultan promises to England to introduce necessary Reforms (to be agreed upon later between the two Powers) into the government of the Christian and other subjects of the Porte in these territories; and, in order to enable England to make necessary provision for executing her engagement, the Sultan further consents to assign the Island of Cyprus to be occupied and administered by England."*

I am, &c.,

SALISBURY.

*See Convention, 4th June, 1878 (No. 524).

No. 523.-DESPATCH from Count Münster to the Marquis of Salisbury, inviting the Powers Parties to the Treaties of 1856 and 1871 to meet in Congress at Berlin to discuss the Stipulations of the Preliminary Treaty between Russia and Turkey, signed at San Stefano on the 3rd March, 1878. London, 3rd June, 1878.

[Referred to in Treaty of Berlin of 13th July, 1878, No. 530.]

(Translation as laid before Parliament.)

THE Undersigned, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of His Majesty the Emperor of Germany, King of Prussia, has the honour, by order of his Government, to convey to the knowledge of his Excellency the Marquis of Salisbury, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, the following communication:

In conformity with the initiative taken by the Austro-Hungarian Cabinet (No. 519), the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of Germany has the honour to propose to the Powers signatories of the Treaties of 1856 (No. 264) and 1871 (No. 439) to meet in Congress at Berlin, to discuss there the stipulations of the Preliminary Treaty of San Stefano concluded between Russia and Turkey (No. 518).

The Government of His Majesty, in giving this invitation to the Government of Her Britannic Majesty, understands that in accepting it, the Government of Her Britannic Majesty consents to admit the free discussion of the whole of the contents of the Treaty of San Stefano, and that it is ready to participate therein.

In the event of the acceptance of all the Powers invited, the Government of His Majesty propose to fix the meeting of the Congress for the 13th of this month.

The Undersigned, in bringing the above to the knowledge of his Excellency the Marquis of Salisbury, has the honour to beg his Excellency to be good enough to acquaint him as soon as possible with the reply of the British Government.*

day

The Undersigned, &c.

MÜNSTER.

*This Invitation was accepted by the British Government on the same

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No. 524.-CONVENTION of Defensive Alliance between Great Britain and Turkey, with respect to the Asiatic Provinces of Turkey. Signed at Constantinople, 4th June,

1. Engagement of Great Britain to join Turkey in event of Russia retaining Batoum, Ardahan, or Kars, and making any attempt to take further Territories in Asia.

Engagement of Sultan, in return, to introduce Reforms in Government, and for Protection of Christian and other Subjects of the Porte, in Asia.

Occupation and Administration of Cyprus by Great Britain.] 2. Ratifications.

HER Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, and His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, being mutually animated with the sincere desire of extending and strengthening the relations of friendship happily existing between their two Empires, have resolved upon the conclusion of a Convention of Defensive Alliance with the object of securing for the future the territories in Asia of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan.

Their Majesties have accordingly chosen and named as their Plenipotentiaries, that is to say :

Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, the Right Honourable Austen Henry Layard, Her Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at the Sublime Porte;

And His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, his Excellency Safvet Pasha, Minister for Foreign Affairs of His Imperial Majesty;

Who, after having exchanged their full powers, found in due and good form, have agreed upon the following Articles :

Engagement of Great Britain to join Turkey in event of Russia retaining Batoum, Ardahan, or Kars, and making any attempt to take further Territories in Asia.

ART. I. If Batoum, Ardahan, Kars, or any of them shall be retained by Russia, and if any attempt shall be made at any

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future time by Russia to take possession of any further territories of His Imperial Majesty the Sultan in Asia, as fixed by the Definitive Treaty of Peace, England engages to join His Imperial Majesty the Sultan in defending them by force of

arms.

Engagement of Sultan, in return, to introduce Reforms in Government, and for Protection of Christian and other Subjects of the Porte, in Asia.

In return, His Imperial Majesty the Sultan promises to England to introduce necessary Reforms, to be agreed upon later between the two Powers, into the government, and for the protection of the Christian and other subjects of the Porte in these territories.

Occupation and Administration of Cyprus by Great Britain.

And in order to enable England to make necessary provision for executing her engagement, His Imperial Majesty the Sultan further consents to assign the Island of Cyprus to be occupied and administered by England.t

Ratifications.

ART. II. The present Convention shall be ratified, and the ratifications thereof shall be exchanged, within the space of one month, or sooner if possible.

In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the same, and have affixed thereto the seal of their arms. Done at Constantinople, the fourth day of June, in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.

(L.S.) A. H. LAYARD. (L.S.) SAFVET.

The Definitive Treaty of Peace between Russia and Turkey was signed on the 8th February, 1879 (No. 542). See also Treaty of Berlin, 13th July, 1878 (No. 530.)

† See also Annex, 1st July, 1878 (No. 525).