The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-04-28
Russia Declares War,

On Tuesday last, the 24th inst,
formal declaration of war against
Turkey was made by the Russian
Emperor. The full text of his mani
festo is thus telegraphed from st.
Petersburg
Our faithful and beloved subjects
knowing the strong interest We have
constantly felt in the destinies of the
oppressed Christian population of
Turkey, our desire to ameliorate and
assuage their lot has been shared by
the whole Russian nation, which now
shows itself ready to bear fresh sacri-
fees to alleviate the position of the
| Christians in the Balkin peninsula.
The blood and property of our faith
full subjects have always been dear to
us, and our whole reign attests our
constant solictiude to preserve to
Russia the benefits of peace. This
solicitude never failed to actuate us
during the deplorable events which
occurred i'll Herzegovina, Bosnia aud
Bulgaria. Our object before all was
to effect ameliOratiOn in the position
of the Christians in the East by means
of pacific negotiations, and in concert
with the great European powers, our
allies and friends for two years, we
have made incessant efforts to induce
the Porte to effect such reforms as
would protect the Christians in Bos-
mia, Herzegovina and Bulgaria from
the arbitrary measures of local au
thOrities. The accomplishment of
these reforms was absolutely stipu-
lated by anterior engagements con-
tracted by the Porte toward the whole
of Europe. Our efforts, supported by
diplomatic representations, made in
common by the other governments,
have not, however, attained the OBJ
ject. The Porte has remained un-
shaken in its formal refusal of any eff
fective guarantee for security of its
Christian subjects, and has rejected
the conclusions OF the Constantinople
conference. Wishing to essay every
possible means of Cancellation, in or
der to persuade the Porte, we pro
posed to the other Cabinets to draw
up a special protocol comprising the
most essential conditions of the Con-
stantinople conference, and to invite
the Turkish government to adhere to
this international act, which states
the extreme limits of our peaceful de-
mands. But our expectation was not
fulfilled. The Porte did not defer to
this unanimous wish of Christian Eu-
rope, aud did not adhere to the con-
clusiOns of the protocol. Having ex-
hausted pacific efforts, we are COM
PEELED by the hearty Obstiuacy of the
Porte proceed to more decisive acts,
feeling that our unity and our own
dignity enjoin it. By her refusal Tur-
key places us under the necessity of
having recourse to arms. Profoundly
convinced of the justice of our cause,
and humbly committing ourselves to |
the grace aud help of the Most High,
we make known to our faithful sub
jects that the moment fOreseen, when
we pronounced words to which all |
Russia responded with complete unan-
unity, has now arrived. We expressed |
the intention to act independently
when we deemed it necessary, and |
when Russia's honor should demand it.
In now invoking the blessings of
God upon our valiant armies, We give
the order to cross the Turkish frontier. |
(Signed) ALEXANDER.
Given as Kischenetf, this, the Oath
day of April, in the year of Grace,
1877, and in the 23rd year of our reign.
PRINCE GoRTscHAKoFF.
Gen. VIM. Lathrop, aged 80 years.