Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-05-18
Lord Derby's Reply to GOrtsChakOff.

The following is the text of Lord Der
by's answer TO Gortschakoff's circular.
1t is dated May 1, and is in the form of
a note from Lord Derby to Lord LOTUS,
the British Ambassador at st. Peters
burg:
/ forwarded your Excellency on the oath
ult. copy of Prince GOrtschakoff's circular
announcing that the Emperor had given
orders to cross the frontiers of Turkey. Her
Majesty's Government have received this
communication with deep regret. They can
not accept the statements and conclusion
with which Prince Gortschakoff has accom-
panied it as justifying the resolution thus
taken. The protocol to which Her Majesty's
Government, at the instance Of Russia, re-
Gently became a party required from the
Sultan no fresh guarantees for reform
bling Russia better to abstain from isolated
action itaffirmed the interest taken in com
mon by the powers in the condition OF the
Christian populations of Turkey. IL went
on to declare that the powers would watch
carefully the manner in which the promises
of the Ottoman Government were carried in
to effect, and that should their hopes
once more be disappointed they reserved
the right to consider the means they
might deem best fitted to secure the peace
and well being of the Christians. To these
declarations of the intentions of the powers
JllC GOubtul Oh luc IOIJt Who nut uShCu hOl
required. The Porte, no doubt, has thought
it-unfortunately, in the opinion of Her
Maiesty's GovernmeDt-tO protest against
the expressions in question, as implying en-
croachments on its Independence, but while
so doing, and while declaring they cannot
consider the protocol as having any binding
character or Turkey, the Turkish Govern
mcnt have again affirmed their intention Of
carrying into. execution the reforms. Her
Majesty's Government cannot, therefore, ad-
init, as contended by Prince GOrtschakoH,
that the answer of the Porte removed all
hope of Difference to the wishes and advice
Of Europe and all security for the applica-
ton Of reforms, nor necessarily precluded
the possibility of the conclusion OF peace
with Montenegro, or Of an arrangement for
mutual disarmament. Her MajestY's Govern
ment still believes that, with patience and mod
Grafton on both sides, these objects might not
improbably have been attained. GOrtschakof,
however, asserts that all openingis now closed
for attempts at conciliation. The Emperor re-
solved To undertake the task of obtaining by
coercion that which the powers failed to Sb-
tain by persuasion, and he expresses His
Majcsty's conviction that this step is in ac-
cordance with the sentiments and interests
of Europe. II cannot be expected that Her
/ Majesty's Government should agree in this
view. They have not concealed their feeling
that the presence OF large Russian forces on
| the frontiers of Turkey, menacing its safety,
! TtnutIlnk anu
awakening feelings OF apprehension and
| fan aticism, constitutes a material obstacle ia
| pacihcation and reform. They cannot be-
| lieve the entrance of those armies upon
| Turkish soil will alleviate the difficulty OF
! improve the condition of the Christian popu
| lation. But the course on which the Russian
| Government has entered involves graver
more serious, considerations. 1t is in con
travention OF the stipulation Of the treaty OF
Paris, by which Russia and other powers en-
gagged 10 respect the independence and terri
tOrial integrity OF the Ottoman Empire. II
the conference of London in 1871
at the close OF which the above
stipulation, with others, was agaT
confirmed, the Russian plenlpotentiary, IL
common with those of the other pow
ers, signed declaration affirming IL to be al
essential principle OF the law of nations tina
no power can liberate itself from the engage
ment of a treaty nor modify the stipulation
thereof unless wi h the consent of the con
tracing parties, by means Of an amicable ar
raogement. In taking action against TuIkel
on his own part, and having recourse TO arm
without further consultation with his allies
the Emperor OF Russia has separated him
self from European concert, and has, at thl
same time, departed from the rule TO whiel