The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-04 00:00:00

TURKEY AND THE PRINCIPALITIES

The following is the text of a letter addressed to
Prince Conza by Aali Pasha on the subject of the
Armaments :

" H.H. AALI PASHA TO H.S.H. PRINCE COUZA

" San. 11, 1864.
"Mon Prince,—Your highness must remember
that the organic regulat ions fix the effective strength
of the militia of the two Principalities at 6,208 men,
distributed as follows :

" For Wallachia, two regiments of 1,552 men
each, divided into two battalions infantry, two
squadrons of cavalry, and liable to be increased by a
third regimont should the maintenance of tranquil-
lity at home require it; one regiment for Moldavia
with the same organisation.

" You are also aware that the last paragraph of
the 42d Article of the Treaty of Paris stipulates
' that the strength of the regular militia fixed by
the organic regulations may not be increased more
than one-third without a previous understanding
with the Suzerain Court.'
"Now the rumours current some time respecting
the armaments which your highness is making
have acquired so much consistency that they render
it necessary for the Sublime Porte to ask you for-
mally what it has to conclude.
" We do not think it requisite to point out to your
serene highness that the Convention of 1858 is the
basis upon which rests the edifice of the actual state
of things in the united Principalities ; that it im-
plies duties and rights which are binding upon all
the parties interested, and which regulate their re-
spective positions ; that it is under the beneficial
auspices of that international act, and by religiously
respecting them that the prosperity and welfare of
the Moldo-Wallachians can tranqui►ly be deve-
loped; that to ignore or violate any part of them
would be the signal for complications, from the con-
sequences of which the Principalities would be the
first to suffer.

" Comprised in the general guarantee of the 0 tto-
man empire, governed by institutions placed under
the safeguard of solemn treaties, the Principalities
cannot entertain any founded fear of danger from
without which would compel them to exhaust their
financial resources in outlays for warlike prepara-
tions to the detriment of those which the improve-
ment of their internal state imperiously demands.
" The immense interest which the Sublime Porte
takes in watching over the safety of your country,
and the collective guarantee of the great Powers of
Europe, form together an element of safety strong
enough to relieve your serene highness from any
fears of foreign aggression, and to give you leisure
to occupy yourself in developing the happiness and
welfare of the population intrusted to your Go-
vernment.

"The noted sagacity of your highness will, I
doubt not, make you appreciate the justice of these
observations, and spare the country difficulties
which would have no fruitful consequences.
" Your serene highness will easily conceive that
it is impossible for the Imperial Government to re-
main silent any longer respecting acts which infringe
upon existing treaties and established rights. We
entertain the sincere hope, prince, that you will not
hesitate to admit the honesty of the sentiments
which have urged us to give these explanations,
and that your reply will be such as will dispel all
misgivings as to the intentions of your serene high-,
ness to observe faithfully all the international
stipulations concerning the united Principalities.--
I remain, &c., (Signed) " AALI PASHA."