Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1853-11-04
LATE FROM EUROPE.

THE TURKISH DECLARATION OF WAR.
In the present state of circumstances, it
would be supcrfuous to take up from its very
the explanation of the difference
which has arisen between the Sublime Porte and
Russia to enter into the detail Of the diverse
phases which this difference has gone through, or
to reproduce the opinions and judgments of the
Government Of His Majesty the Sultan, which
have been made public by the official documents /
promulgated from time to time.
In spite Of the desire not to restate the urgent (
reasons which determined the notifications IN
troduccd by the Sublime Porte into the draft OF
the note prepared at Vienna (motiyes exposed /
previously to note explanatory Of the modiiico-
tons yet new solicitations having been made
for the adoption, pure and simple, Of the SAID
note, in consequence of the non adhesion Of Rus,
sia to these same notifications, the Ottoman
Government, finding itself at present compelled
and forced to undertake war, thinks 1t duty TO
give an exposition Of the imperious reasons for
that important determination, well as for those
which have obliged 1t not to regulate this time
It's conduct according TO the counsels Of the Great
Powers ;ts allies although II has never ceased to
aprrea;~+ me pehe' '-e1iO I'''uie - - -ee~
tons.
1nent Of his Majesty the Sultan desires to give
prominence are these: That from the very be
ginning his conduct has furnished no motive Of
quarrel, and that, animated with the desire Of
preserving peace he has acted with remarkable
spirit Of moderation and conciliation. from the
commencement Of the difference unto the present
time II is easy to prove these facts to all who
DO not wander from the path Of justice and
equity
1" Even supposing that Russia had & subject of
/ complaint in relation to the Holy Places, she
ought to have circumscribod her actions and soli-
citations within the limits of this question alone.
and ought not to have raised prctonsions which
the object other complaints could not sus, ain
She ought not, moreover, to have taken measures
Of intimidation, such sending her troops to the
I frontiers, and making naval preparations at Sc
bastopol on the subject of a question which
might have been settled amicaby between the
two Powers. But it Is evident that what has
taken place IS totally contrary to intention Of
amicable settlement.
The question Of the Holy Places had been
settled to the satisfaction of all parties and the
government Of Ais Majesty, the Sultan, had testi-
/ fed favorable dispositions the guarantees de
mandcd. In short, Russia had no longer any
ground for raising any protest.
- Is it not seeking preteXt for quarrel, then,
to insist as Russia has done, upon the question Of
the privileges of the Greek Church granted by
the Ottoman government privileges which the
government believes its honor, its dignity, and
its sovereign power are concerned in maintain
ing, and on the subject Of which it can neither
admit the interference nor the surveillance ofany
I
/ pied, with considerable forces the principalities
/ of Moldava and Wallachia declaring At the same
time that these provinces should serve as a guar
antee, until she had obtained what she desired
Has not this act been considered Justly by the
Sublime Porte as a violation Of treaties, and con-
sequently cagasus JcHi? Have the other Pow
ers themselves been able to come 10 any other
decision Who, then, VIII doubt that Russia
has been the aggressor? Could the Sublime
Porte which has always observed all her treaties
with fidelity known to all, by infringing them
in sny way, do more than determine Russia to q
proceeding so violent as that Of herself infringing
all these treaties. Again, has there arisen, con.
trary TO the promise explicitly given IN the trca-
" Of Kainardji, such facts in the Ottoman En-
pire the demolition Of Christian churches, or
obst acles opposed to The exercise Of the Christian
religion
THE Ottoman Cabinet, without desiring to
enter into too long details these points doubts
not that The high Powers, its allies, will Judge
with perfect truth and justice on the statement
just exhibited.
. As to the non adoption of The Vienna note
in its pure and simple form by the Sublime
Porte, it is to be remarked that this project, al
though not in every point conformed to the note
Of Prince Menchikotf, and while containing, it is
true, in its composition some Of the paragraphs
ofthe draught note Of the Sublime Porte, is not
awhole, whether in letter OF spirit, essentially
different from that of Prince Menchikofl
The assurances recently given by the repre-
sentatives of the Great Powers respecting tie ap.
pretended danger from hurtful interpreta ions of
the dTaught note in question, are q new proof of
the kind intentions Of their respective Govern
mcnts toward the Sublime Porte They have
consequently produced lively satisfaction on
the part Of the Government of his Majesty the
Sultan. 1t must be remarked, however that /
''ie have still before our eyes strife Of reIi
gious privileges raised by Russia, which seeks to
base its claims on a paragraph so clear and so
precise in the treaty of Kainardii which wishes
to insert in diplomatic document the paragraph
concerning the active soIicitude of the Emperor
of Russia for the maintenance in the States of the
Sublime Porte of religious immunities and privi-
leges which were granted (octroyes) to the Greek
rite by the Ottoman Empe.ors before Russia so
much as existed Empire, to leave in dark
and doubtful state the absence Of all relation be-
tween these privileges and the treaty of Kutschuk
TO employ in favor ofa great colnrnuni-