The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNES

which have placed Russia in possession of those tern•'
tories, and their present situation.
Aali Pasha observes that difficulties have arisen in this
respect between the Porte and Russia, and that it would
be advantageous to verify, and, if necessary, rectify the
frontiers between the possessions of the two Empires in
Asis.

Baron Brunnow remarks that the lined determined by
the Convention signed at St. Petersburgh in 1834, has
not since that time, given occasion for any dispute be-
tween the two Goverments ; that in the district of Ca-
buletia, the map of which has been produced, claims bad
indeed been advanced, but they had been exclusively of
a private nature, having their origin in titles to properties
in dispute. The Russian Plenipotentiary adds that Aus-
tria had given Russia an assurance that the separate con-
ditions would involve no cession of territory.
Count Walewski answers that a revision of boundaries
does not constitute a territorial readjustment, and pro-
poses, in order to demonstrate the spirit of equity that
animated all parties, to resolve that a Mixed Commission
shall be charged, after the conclusion of peace, to de-
cide on this point within a fixed period.
This proposition is assented to in principle by all the
Plenipotentiaries, but the definitive adoption of it is de-
ferred till the next meeting.
Count Walewski observes that Russia had erected forts
on the eastern coast of the Black Sea, which she had her-
self in part blown up, and that it will be necessary to
come to an understanding in this respect.
The Earl of Clarendon, relying, specifically, on the
, principle of the neutralisation of the Black Sea, proceeds
to show that these forts could not be rebuilt.

The Russian Plenipotentiaries, setting up the distinc-
tion which, according to them, exists between these forts
and military maritime arsenals, maintain the contrary
opinion.
The consideration of this point is adjourned.
Count Walewski lays down that the town of Kars, and
the Ottoman territory at present in the occupation f the
Russian army, shall be restored to Turkey.
The Earl of Clarendon supports and enlarges on this
opinion.
The Russian Plenipotentiaries admit the principle of
this restitution ; but as it cannot be finally decided on
till the end of the negotiation, they express a hope that,
in the course of the negotiation, credit will be given to
them for the concessions which they make in the consi-
deration of the separate conditions proposed in addition
to the bases already agreed upon.
Count Walewski, while taking note of the adhesion of
the Russian Plenipotentiaries, bears witness to the con-
ciliatory disposition which they have evinced during the
sitting, as well in regard to Kars as in regard to the
Aland Islands.

Before the sitting breaks up, Count Walewski remarks
that at the next meeting it will be proper to proceed
to the development of the bases and to the drawing
up of the Articles of the Treaty. He is of opinion that
it might be advisable to commence by the third point,
relative to the neutralisation of the Black Sea.

(The signatures follows.)

PROTOCOL No. 4.—SITTING or MARCH 4, 1856.

Present.—The Plenipotentiaries of Austria, France,
Great Britain, Russia, Sardiuia, and Turkey.
The Protocol of the preceding meeting is read and
approved.
Count Walewski observes that the Congress had de-
cided upon adopting in the present sitting a definitive
decision in regard to the Mixed Commission charged with
the verification and rectification, if necessary, of the
frontiers of Turkey and Russia in Asia.
Baron Brunnow, on his side, reminds the Congress
that this revision is to be effected without prejudice to
the Parties, and so as not. to amount to any gratuitous
or superfluous ces-ion of territory.
Tne Plenipotentiaries of France, of Great Britain, and
of Turkey consider that the Commission should comprise,
in addition to the Commissioners of the two Parties
directly interested, delegates of the Contracting Powers.
Count Walewski consequently proposes that the Com-
mission should be composed of two Turkish Commis-
sionsrs, of two Russian Commissioners, of one English
Commissioner, and of one French Commissioner. The
Russian Plenipotentiaries assent, subject to the approval
of their Court.
It is agreed that the labours of this Commission shall
be concluded within eight months after the signature of
the Treaty of Peace.
Count Walewski observes that, in accordance with the
decision of the Congress, the development of the third
point, relative to the neutralisation of the Black Sea,
should be proceeded with by coming to an agreement as
to the wording of the stipulations, the basis of which had
been laid down at the preceding sittings. The first Pleni-
potentiary of France proposes the text of the first para-
graph, which, after having been the subject of a delibera-
tion in which all the Plenipotentiaries take part, is
settled as follows :
" The Black Sea is neutralised : its waters and its
ports, thrown open to the mercantile marine of every na-
tion, aro formally and in perpetuity interdicted to the
flag of war, either of the Powers possessing its coasts,
or of any other Power, with the exceptions stipulated in
the present Treaty.
" Free from any impediment, the commerce, in the
ports and waters of the Black Sea, shall be subject only
to the regulations in force."
The second paragraph is in like manner agreed to by
all the Plenipotentiaries, after having been settled in the
following form :
" The Back Sea being declared neutral, the mainte-
nance or establishment upon its coast of military-mail-
time f,rtresses becomes alike unnecessary and purpose-
less. In consequence, his Majesty the Emperor of Rus-
sia and his Majesty the Sultan engage not to establish or
to maintain, upon that coast, any military-maritime
arsenal."

The first Plenipotentiary of Great Britain states that
Russia possesses at Nicolaieff an arsenal of the first class
for maritime works, the maintenance of which would be
in contradiction to the principles on which the paragraph
of which the Congress has just settled the terms is founded.
This arsenal not being situated on the shores of the
Black Bea, Lord Clarendon does not mean to assert that
Russia is bound to destroy the ship-building yards which
exist there ; but he remarks that public opinion would
be authorised in attributing to Russia intentions which
she cannot entertain, if. Nicolaieff were to retain, as a
centre for all maritime works, the importance which it
has acquired.

The first Plenipotentiary of Russia replies that the Em-
peror, his august master, on acceding with sincerity to the
propositions of peace, firmly resolved strictly to carry out
all the engagements resulting from them ; but that Nico-
laieff, being situated far from the shore of the Black Sea,
respect for her dignity would not permit Rue.t4ia to allow
a principle solely applicable to the coast to be extended
to the interior of the Empire; that the security of and
watching over the oasts required, moreover, that Russia
should have, as had been admitted, a certain number of
light vessels in the Black Sea, and that, if the consented
to give up the ship-building yards of Nicolaieff, she would
be compelled to establish others in some other point of
her southern possessions ; that, in order at once to pro-
vide for his engagements and for the requirements of the
naval service, the Emperor intends only to authorise the
coestruction at Nicolaieff of the vessels of war men
tioned in the bases of the negotiation.
The first Plenipotentiary of Great Britain, and, after
him, the other Plenipotentiaries, consider this declaration
satisfactory.
Tne Earl of Clarendon inquires of the first Plenipoten-
tiary of Russia whether he agrees to the insertion of his
declaration in the Protocol. After having replied in the
affirmative, Cuunt Geoff adds that, in order to prove the
sincerity of his intention; the Emperor has intrusted
him to demand a free passage through the Straits of the
Bosphorus and the Dardanelles for the two ships of the
line which alone are now at Nicolaieff, and which would
have to proceed to the Baltic as soon as peace was con-
cluded.

The terms of the other paragraphs relative to the third
point, as deliberated on by the Plenipotentiaries, were
thus settled :
" In order to afford to the commercial and maritime
interests of every nal;!on the security which is desired,
Russia and the Sublime Porte will admit Consuls into
their ports situated upon the coast of the B'alk Sea, in
conformity with the principles of international law.
"His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias and his
Majesty the Sultan having concluded between them a
Convention, for the purpose of settling the force and
number of light vessels which tkey may maintain in the
Black Sea, this Convention is annexed to the present
Treaty, and shall have the same force and validity as if
it formed an integral part thereof. It cannot be either
annulled or modified without the assent of the Powers
signing the present Treaty.
"Thu Convention of July 13, 1841, which maintains
the ancient rule of the Ottoman Empire, relative to the
closing of the Straits of the Bosphorus and of the Dar-
danelles, having been revised by common consent, the
Act concluded for that purpose is and remains annexed
to the present Treaty."
The Plenipotentiaries of Russia and Turkey are in•
vited to agree together on the Convention to be concluded
between them on the subject of the light vessels which
the Sublime Porte and Russia may maintain in the Black
Sea, and it is agreed that the project of it shall be com-
municated to the Congress at the next meeting.