St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-05-04

Russia sent out another note inuui,ir,,
as to the action proposed by the otha99
Powers. but they declined to participant
in any measures of coercion.
THE PROTOCOL.
General Ignatieff, the Russian Am
bassador to Turkey, i'll the same month
went on tour of Europe, Ostensiblv for
his health, but in reality to give verbal
explanations of the future policy Of
Russia. On March the Powers agreed
to acknowledge the meritOriOus zeal of
Russia on behalf of the Christians in
Turkey her retreat from her threaten
ing position was made cOmparatiyely
easy, and it was suggested that the
Porte be granted Il term for the execu-
ton of the reforms. To this Russia Of
fered no objections, only stipulatiuu
that the Sultan should sign protocol
accepted by the Powers, containing col
lective guarantees to Europe for the
execution of such reforms. On the sam.
day the Turkish Parliament met, and
the Sutan's speech from the throne re-
peated his promises of reform, but con-
tanned no guarantees. On the 10th of
March were announced RusSia's definite
proposals for the solution of the pend
ing questions. These were in the Shane
of a protocol. The Porte offered conn
ter proposals by issuing note specify.
ing eleven measures of reform which if
was already putting into operation; buf
there was considerable difference be-
tween it and the protocol, aud Russia
refused to accept it. On the 18th Of
March the English Cabinet met to con.
slider the terms presented by Russia
Many councils followed, and after some
amendments the protocol was accepted
England demanded that Russia should
demObilize at once, but this was de-
cisively rejected by the other Powers
Austria proposed that Russia and Tur.
key should demobilize simultaneously
England did nothing, promised nothing
and exhibited only distTust and con-
demnatiOn of Russia. Then Russia
yielded assent to Austria's plan. Prince
Bismarck signed the protocol on condi-
ton that it was first accepted by Aus
tria. Then England consented to sim
it. On the 3lst of March it was officially
announced that the protocol was signed
by all the Powers. The protocol WAS
presented to the Porte, which refused
to entertain any of its demands. Tur-
key insisted that the lamentable event,
in Bulgaria were due to foreign intrigue
and refused, absolutely, to disarm until
Russia had first done so. This answer
of the Porte was communicated to the
great Powers early in the present month
THE DECLARATION OF WAR.
On April "a the Gar issued ii mani
festo to the Russian army and people.
declaring that ''in view of the rejection
of the protocol and the obstinate refusal
of the Porte to yield to the just de
mands of Europe" the moment had AZ
rived for Russia to act independently.
Prince GOrtschakoff7s circular to the
Russian representatives at the different
courts, issued the same day, reviewed
the negotiations from IA Russian stand
point, and after reciting the Porte's re-
lection of the protocol and the motives
upon which it was based, concluded as
follows
''Under these circumstances the sue
cess of any attempt at compromise is
excluded, and there remains only the
alternative to allow that state of things
to continue, which the Powers declared
Incompatible with their interests aud
those of Europe, or to try 10y coerciyc
measures to obtain that which the unan-
imous efforts of the Powers failed to OBJ
tain by meaus of an under standing. My
exalted master has undertaken that
which he had invited the great Powers
to do in common with him. His males
ty has ordered his armies TO cross the
frontier of Turkey. You will bring this
resolution to the cognizance of the Gov
eInment to which you are accredited.
In fulfilling the duties imposed upon
him 10y the interests of Russia, whose
peaceable development is impeded by
the constant troubles in the East, bis
majesty~is convinced that he at the
same time responds to the views OF
Europe"