Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-05-03
Russia Declares War.

! Ane CZar6 manl1eStO 10 the people anu
the army was promulgated on the 24th; :;
the following is its text:
Our faithful and beloved subjects know
the strong interest We have constantly felt
in the destinies of the oppressed Christian
population of Turkey. Our desire TO
aneli0rate and assauge their lot has been
shared by the whole Russian nation,
which now shows itself ready to bear
fresh sacrifices to alleviate the position Of
the Christians in the Balkaus pcninsular.
The blood and property Of our faithful
subjects have always been dear to us, and
our whole reign attests our constant So
licitude to preserve to Russia the benefits
Of peace. This solicitude never failed to
ach,ate us during the deplorable events
in Herzegovina, Bosnia and Bulgaria.
Our object before all was to affect the
amelioration in the position of the Christ
ians in the East by means Of pacific
! EnSQctiations, and in concert with the great
European powers, our allies and friends
for two years we have made inccssant
efforts to induce the Porte to effect such
reforms as would protect the Christians
in Bosnia, Herzegovina and Bulgaria
from the arbitrary measure Of local authori-
ty. The accomplishment Of fthesc reforms
was stipulated by anterior engagements
contracted by the Porte to the whole of
Europe. Our efforts, supported by diplo-
matte representations, made in common
with the other governments. have
not, however, attained their object.
The Porte has remained unshaken in
it's formal refusal of any effective guar
anty for the security of its Christian sub
jccts, and has rejected the conclusions oil
the Constantinoplc conference. Wishing
to essay every possible means of concilia-
ton in order to persuade the Porte, we
proposed to the other cabinets to draw up
special protocol comprising the most es-
scntial conditions of the Constantinoplc
conference, and to invite the Turkish gov
crnmcnt to adhere to this international act
which states the extreme limit of our
peaceful demands; but our expectation
was not fulfilled; the Porte did not defer
to this unanimous wish of the Christians
of Europe and did not adhere to the con-
clusions Of the protocol. Having exhaust
ed pacific efforts, We are compelled by
the naughty obstinacy of the Porte to pro-
cced to more decisive acts, feeling that
our equity and our own dignity cnjoin it.
BY her refusal, Turkey places us under
the necessity of having recourse to arms:
Profoundly convinced Of the justice of
our cause, and humbly committing our
selves to the grace and help Of the Most
High, we make known to our faithful sub
Gets that the moment forcsccn, when we
pronounce the words to which all Russia
responds with complete unanimity, has
now arrived. We expressed the intention
to act independently when we deemed it
necessary, and when Russia's honor should
demand it. I now, invoking the blessing
of God upon our valiant armies, give them
the order to cross the Turkish frontier.
(Signedl ALEXANDER.
Given at kischcncff this 18th day OF April
20. So in the year of Grace 1877, and
in the Esd year Of our reign.
A Vienna telegram Of the Gath says:
The Russian advance guard, which COM
mcnced crossing the Pruth at sunrise to-
day, numbers $4,000 mcn-half cavalry
and half infantry. They are taking
the direction of Golotz Five other
divisions, with 40 cannon, arc stationed at
Kubei. They will advance so as to reach
the Danube at Ismacl, Kilia and Vcloff.