PROTOCOL.

[Turco-Greek Boundary.]

Greece desires to give to the wish expressed by the Powers the force of a decision. Ottoman Commissioners reserve the question of properties until an agreement is come to respecting the sense of the 13th Protocol of the Berlin Congress (No. 526).

Prevesa, 11th February, 1879. No. 4. Declaration by Greek Commissioners that they cannot enter into a discussion on the interpretation of the Protocol of the Berlin Congress. Ottoman Commissioners ask whether their Hellenic colleagues would refuse to enter into negotiations respecting a new line which might be proposed to them. Greek Commissioners reply that the line fixed by the Protocol is the only possible basis of negotiations. Ottoman Commissioners admit the principle of the rectification but maintain a different opinion as regards the line of demarcation indicated by the Protocol; and that as an Agreement cannot be arrived at they must ask for fresh instructions from their Government. Prevesa, 13th February, 1879. No. 5. As a result of fresh instructions, Ottoman Commissioners propose a new line of frontier, on the ground of the line proposed not being in accordance with the indications of Protocol 13 of the Berlin Congress (No. 526). Greek Commissioners refuse to accept proposal, and desire to put an end to the sittings. Ottoman Commissioners state that they are not authorised to be parties to a rupture of the negotiations, but in the event of their Hellenic colleagues persisting in their determination, they can only refer the matter to Constantinople. Prevesa, 18th March, 1879.

[These Conferences were resumed at Constantinople, and the Commissioners sat from the 22nd August till the 17th November, 1879 (No. 559). Conferences were also held between the Delegates of Greece and Turkey at Sourpi on the 17th and 19th March, 1879, with the object of agreeing upon some joint action to be taken to suppress brigandage in Thessaly. See Parliamentary Paper, Greece No. 1 (1879) pp. 176-178.]

[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

[Bosnia and Herzegovina.]

XXV of the Treaty of Berlin (No. 530); the AustroHungarian Government, however, does not object to retain all those existing functionaries who may possess the necessary aptitude for the good administration of their departments. In filling up vacancies, preference will be given by the AustroHungarian Government to natives of these provinces.

Religious Liberty.

ART. II. The freedom and outward exercise of all existing religions shall be assured to persons residing or sojourning in Bosnia and the Herzegovina. Especially, entire freedom is assured to Mussulmans in their relations with their spiritual chiefs.

The commanders of the troops of His Majesty the Emperor and King, and the administrative authorities, shall continue to take the greatest care that no injury be done to the honour, to the customs, to the freedom of religion, to the security of the persons, or to the property, of Mussulmans. All aggression against Mussulmans, their property or their religion, shall be severely punished. The name of His Majesty the Sultan shall continue to be used in the public prayers of the Mussulmans as in times past.

Hoisting of Ottoman Flag on Minarets.

Wherever it shall have been the custom to hoist the Ottoman flag on the minarets, this custom shall be respected.

Administration of Revenues.

ART. III. The revenues of Bosnia and the Herzegovina shall be exclusively appropriated to the needs, to the administration of, and to the improvements deemed necessary in, those Provinces.

Current Ottoman Money.

ART. IV. The Ottoman currency shall continue to have free circulation in Bosnia and the Herzegovina.

Disposal of War Material, &c.

ART. V. The Sublime Porte shall dispose as it thinks fit of the arms, warlike stores, and other articles belonging to the Ottoman Government, and which were found in the fortified

[Bosnia and Herzegovina.]

places or in the garrisons. For this purpose inventories shall be prepared with the intervention of Commissioners of the two Governments.

Treatment of Inhabitants when outside the Provinces.

ART. VI. The question of the treatment of the inhabitants of Bosnia and the Herzegovina sojourning or travelling outside these provinces, shall be regulated subsequently by a special arrangement.

Mode in which Article XXV of the Treaty of Berlin is to be carried out. Sandjak of Novi-Bazar.

ART. VII. To attain, in a common interest, the political and military object that Article XXV of the Treaty of Berlin (No. 530) has in view concerning the Sandjak of Novi-Bazar, the two Governments have resolved to regulate the mode in which it shall henceforward be carried into execution. For this purpose the Government of His Majesty the Emperor and King undertakes to give notice beforehand to the Government of His Majesty the Sultan of the time when the entrance of the Imperial and Royal troops shall take place.*

In order to prevent all unnecessary delay, the two Governments, each in so far as it is itself concerned, undertakes, should occasion arise, to furnish their authorities and commanders, without delay, with the full powers necessary to settle directly among themselves the questions connected with the subsistence of the Imperial and Royal troops, as well as to their quartering, and other details relating thereto. Moreover it is understood that all expenses incurred under this head shall be borne by the Austro-Hungarian Government.

Presence of Troops in Sandjak of Novi-Bazar.

ART. VIII. The presence of the troops of His Majesty the Emperor and King in the Sandjak of Novi-Bazar, will not interfere with the functions of the Ottoman administrative authorities, judicial or financial, of every kind, which will continue to be exercised as in former times under the exclusive and direct orders of the Sublime Porte.

* In September, 1879, the Austro-Hungarian troops occupied the Sandjak of Novi-Bazar; and on the 20th December following, a Law was passed including Bosnia and the Herzegovina within the Austro-Hungarian Customs Union. (See "State Papers," Vol. 70, page 718.)