[Peace.] Russian Claims for Losses during War. His Excellency Prince Lobanow declares that the sum which is therein specified constitutes a maximum to which the total amount of claims will probably never reach; he adds that a Commission, ad hoc, will be established at the Russian Embassy for the careful examination of the claims which shall be laid before it, and that, according to the instructions of his Government, an Ottoman Delegate shall be allowed to take part in the examination of those claims. As to the term of one year fixed by this Article as the date from which the claims may be presented to the Sublime Porte, it is understood that an exception will be made in favour of the claim of the Russian Hospital, amounting to the sum of £11,200. Roumania, Servia, and Montenegro. With reference to the last part of paragraph (c) (Article IV) of the original draft, it is understood, without prejudice, that the Principalities of Roumania, Servia, and Montenegro, being now independent, those stipulations of the Treaty of San Stefano (No. 518) can find no place in the new Treaty unless the interested parties come to a direct understanding respecting them. Interruption of Navigation of the Danube. Paragraph (d) of the said draft being suppressed, the Russian Plenipotentiary refers to the declaration made on that subject by Count Schouvaloff, in the sitting of the 2nd of July, of the Congress of Berlin (Protocol 11) (No. 528), according to which no obligation could fall upon Russia through the interruption of the navigation of the Danube caused by the breaking out of war. Eastern Roumelia. Paragraph (f) of the Russian Draft is also eliminated; but to prevent any misunderstanding, His Excellency Prince Lobanow declares that this elimination can in no way be invoked against the administrative system existing in Eastern Roumelia, and that the status quo will be provisionally maintained there until the introduction of the new organisation elaborated by the European Commission. [Peace.] On their side, the Ottoman Plenipotentiaries declare that they have demanded the suppression of that paragraph, precisely because they do not mean in any way to deal with Eastern Roumelia, the position of which is determined by the Treaty concluded between the Seven Powers at Berlin (No. 530), and because they are neither qualified, nor is it their mission, to discuss the matter at the present time. Evacuation of Territories. Paragraph (g) of the same draft is also suppressed, and it is agreed that the Russian Ambassador shall address a note to the Sublime Porte declaring that the Imperial Government engages to give orders, immediately after the ratification of the Treaty of this day, for the evacuation of the territories occupied by the Russian troops outside the limits of Bulgaria and Eastern Roumelia. Moreover, the Russian Ambassador gives notice that he will call the attention of the Sublime Porte to the necessity of taking certain temporary measures for the maintenance of public order and tranquillity in the territories evacuated. The Ottoman Plenipotentiaries, on their part, affirm that their Government has always given its attention, in so far as it is concerned, to a change of administration in the territories evacuated by the Russian armies. Amnesty. With reference to Article IX, it is understood that the amnesty therein mentioned shall not hinder the local administration from taking such police measures, with regard to compromised persons, as may be rendered necessary by the exigencies of public order and tranquillity. The signature of the Treaty is then proceeded with; His Excellency the Russian Ambassador hands in the note respecting the evacuation, and the Plenipotentiaries append their signatures to the present Protocol. 27th January, 1879. Constantinople, 8th February' AL. CARATHÉODORY. ALI. LOBANOW. [Spizza.] No. 544.—AUSTRIAN LAW incorporating the District of Spizza within the Kingdom of Dalmatia. Vienna, 15th April, 1879, (Translation.) WITH the consent of both Houses of the Imperial Parliament I ordain as follows: ART. I. In execution of the third paragraph of Article XXIX of the Treaty of Berlin of the 13th of July, 1878 (No. 530), the district of Spizza, as far the northern frontier of the territory as defined in the detailed description of the frontier lines (paragraph 5 of Article XXVIII of the said Treaty), is incorporated with the Kingdom of Dalmatia. ART. II. The laws and institutions existing in Dalmatia are extended to the district defined in Article I. The Government is, however, authorised to adopt administrative measures for effecting the transfer. ART. III. The Ministry is charged with the execution of this Law. [By an Order of the Austrian Minister of Finance, dated 18th April, 1879, the District of Spizza was assigned to the Jurisdiction of the District Court (Bezirksgericha) of Budra, and to the Circuit Court (Kreisgerichten) of Cattaro; and by another Order of the same Minister, dated 4th May, 1879, further arrangements were made with regard to the administration of the Finances of the District of Spizza. See also Protocols 8th September, 1879, and 4th February, 1881, defining the Boundary between Spizza and Antivari (No. 581). [Bosnia and Herzegovina.] No. 545.-CONVENTION between Austria-Hungary and Turkey, respecting the Occupation and Administration by Austria-Hungary of the Provinces of Bosnia and the Herzegovina. Constantinople, 21st April, 1879. 1. Administration of Bosnia and Herzegovina. 2. Religious Liberty. Hoisting of Ottoman Flag on Minarets. 3. Administration of Revenues. 4. Current Ottoman Money. 5. Disposal of War Material, &c. 6. Treatment of Inhabitants and Travellers. 7. Mode in which Article XXV of the Treaty of Berlin (No. 530) is to be carried out. Sandjak of Novi-Bazar. 8. Presence of Troops in the Sandjak of Novi-Bazar. 9. Maintenance of Troops in the Garrisons and Positions of the Sandjak of Novi-Bazar. Non-employment by Porte of Irregular Troops. 10. Power of Austria to maintain Troops in Garrison. ANNEX.-Occupation of Positions by Austrian Troops. (Translation.) THE Governments of Austria-Hungary and Turkey, having reserved to themselves the right of coming to an understanding with regard to the details of the occupation stipulated for by Article XXV of the Treaty of Berlin (No. 530), and the fact of the occupation of Bosnia and the Herzegovina in no way affecting the rights of Sovereignty of his Imperial Majesty the Sultan over these provinces, the two Governments have named for their Plenipotentiaries: Austria-Hungary, on the one part, His Excellency M. le Comte F. Zichy, &c. ; and Turkey, on the other part, His Excellency Al. Carathéodory Pasha, &c., and His Excellency Munif Effendi, &c.; Who, after having exchanged their full powers, found in good and due form, have agreed upon the following Articles : Administration of Bosnia and the Herzegovina. ART. I. The administration of Bosnia and the Herzegovina shall be carried on by Austria-Hungary, conformably to Article [Turco-Greek Boundary. Conferences at Prevesa.] No. 543.-PROTOCOLS OF CONFERENCES between the Commissioners of Greece and Turkey* for the rectification of the Greek Frontier (Thessaly and Epirus) in accordance with Protocol No. 13 of the Congress of Berlin (No. 526); sanctioned by Article XXIV of the Treaty of Berlin (No. 530)-Prevesa, 8th February— 18th March, 1879. PROTOCOL. ABSTRACT OF PROTOCOLS. No. 1. Greek Commissioners invite the Ottoman Commissioners to notify the points of demarcation which would correspond with the indications of the 13th Protocol of the Berlin Congress (No. 526). Ottoman Commissioners request a modification of the Greek demands. Greek Commissioners declare that they must keep to the boundaries fixed by Protocol 13 of Berlin Congress. Ottoman Commissioners ask for guarantees for the settlement of properties of persons in the annexed territory who may wish to expatriate themselves. Greek Commissioners reply that by Greek law property is inviolable, and that question raised does not come within their competency. Ottoman Commissioners pressed for an understanding on the subject. Prevesa, 8th February, 1879. No. 2. Declaration of Greek Commissioners that their mission consists only in coming to an understanding with regard to the rectification of the frontier, and that the question of properties is beyond their competency, but that the matter has been referred to their Government with the result that they are authorised to declare that the legislation of the kingdom is liberal enough to protect the properties of inhabitants, and that if further legislative measures are found necessary, after the line of frontiers is decided, an agreement might be come to. Prevesa, 10th February, 1879. No. 3. Ottoman Commissioners point out that the difference existing between the Delegates of the two Governments arises chiefly from the fact that Turkey considers the settlement of the frontier question as a proof of deference towards Europe, while *The Greek Commissioners were General Scharlato Soutzo. The Turkish Commissioners were Ghazy Moukhta Pasha. |