The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-05-15
DERBY ~ saucy Answer Ia G0rts.
Chak0fPs Clrcular...Eng1au
Can Not Accept Russia's C0nclu-
Sl0na.

Derby's saucy Answer 10 G0rts.
Chak0nPs Clrcular...Eng1au
Can Not Accept Russia's COnclu-
slons.
Lord Derby's answer to Gortschakoff 8
Circular hote is published. 1t is in the
form Of q note from Lord Derby to
Lord Lotus, British Embassador at St
Petersburg. The following is the text :
LONDON, May III forwarded Your
Excellency, on the Oath ult., copy of
Prince Gortschakoff's circular announ-
cling that the Emperor had given orders
to cross the frontiers Of Turkey. Her
Majesty's Government have received
this communication with deep regret -
!; They cannot accept tho statements and
conciusions With which Prince Gorts-
chakoff has accompanied it, as justify
ing the resolution thus taken The pro-
tocol to which Her Majesty's govern.
ment, at the instance OF Russia, recently
became party, required from the Sui
tan no fresh guarantees for reform of
bis administration. With view of en-
abling Russia the better to restrain from
isolated action, it affirmed the interest
taken in common by the Powers in the
condition ofthe Christian populations of
Turkey 1t went on to declare that the
Powers woul ] watch carefully the man
ner in which the promises of the Otto-
man Government were carried into ef-
feet, and that, should their hopes once
more be disappointed, they reserved the
right to consider in common the means
they might deem best fitted to secure
the peace and well being Of the Chris
tians To these declarations Of inten-
tions Of tue Powers the consent of the
Porte was not asked or required.
The Porte no doubt has thought fit--
unfortunately, in the opinion Of Her
Majesty's Government--to protest
against the expressions in question as
implying encroachment en- its independ-
ence, but while 90 doing. and while de
claring they can not consider the proto-
col as having any binding character on
Turkey, the Turkish Government have
again affirmed the intention of carrying
into execution the reforms, Her Ma
jesty's Government can not, therefore,
admit, as contended by Prince Gorts-
chakof, that the answer of the Porte re.
moved all hope of Difference to the
wishes and advice Of Europe, and all
security for the application OF reforms,
nor necessarily precluded the possibility
of the conclusion OF peace with Monte
negro, or Of an arrangement for mutual
disarmament Her Majesty's Govern
ment still believe that, with patience and
moderation on both sides, these objects
might not improbably be enacted. Prince
Gortschakoff, however, asserts that all
opening is now closed for attempts at
conciliation.
The Emperor resolved to undertake
the task Of obtaining by coercion that
which the unanimous efforts of the
Powers failed to obtain by persuasion,
and he expressed His Majesty's conyic-
ton that this step was in accordance
with the sentiments and interest of Eu-
rope. 1t can not he expected that Her
Majesty's Government sbpuld agree in
this view. They have not concealed
their feeling that the presence Of large
Russian forces on the frontiers of Tur.
key, menacing its safety, rendering dis.
armament impossible, and awakening
feelings Of apprehension and fanaticism,
constitutes material obstacle to pacifi
cation and reform. They can not be.
lieve the entrance of these armies upon
Turkish soil will alleviate the difficulty
or improve the condition Of the Chris.
tian population.
But the course on which the Russian
Government has entered, involves gra
yer and more serious considerations. Il
Is in contraveution of the stipulation ot
the treaty of Paris, by which Russis
and other Powers engaged to respec,
the independence and territorial integ
ri.y of the Ottoman Empire. In the
Conferences of London in 1871, at tbt
close Of which the above stipulation
with Others. was again confirmed, the
Russian Plenipotentisry, in common
with those of the other powers, signed
o declaration affirming it to be an essen
tial principle Of the law of nations that
no power can liberate itself from the
engagement of q treaty, nor modify the
siipulations thereof, unless with the con
sent of the contracting parties, by
means Of an amiacable arrangement.
In taking action against Turkey on
his own part, and having resources to
arms without further consultation with
his allies, the Emperor OF Russia ha.
separated himself from European con
cert, and has at the same time departed
from the rule to which he himself had
solemnly recorded his consent. II i.
4 impossible to foresee the consequences
of such an act Her Msjesty's Govern
ment would willingly have refrainet
from any observations in regard to it -
But as Prince Gortschakoff seems tt
assume, in his declaration addressed tt
all the. Governments of Europe, tina
Russia is acting in the interests of Grea
Britain and OF other powers, they fee
hound to state, in q manner equally for
NAL and public, that the declaration o
the Russian Government is not on
which can have their concurrence or ap
proval. istse ias1 DERBY.
1 % a. y