The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1878-01-10
Turkeys Circular to the Powers.
The following is a translation of thu
Turkish circular to the Powers: A

The following is a translation of the
Turkish circular to the Powers: A'
CoNsTANTINoPLE, Dec. u, 1ST.--Every
one knows the origin Of the unhappy events
which have befallen recently in the Empire.
4 The Imperial Government feels the con-
seriousness Of not having in any way pro-
yOked the war which we are carrying on
against Russia, and of having, on the con-
trary, done every thing to avoid 1t. At the
summons of their Sovereign, the inhabitants
OF the Empire have fi0eked together to full
fill simply and heroically great duty-that
OF defending their menaced soil. But on
their own side they have not threatened, and
they threaten no one.
1t is difficult to discover themotives which
Russia can have had to justify her agrees
sion. Is it that she wished to see founded
and developed, for the benefit of certain
populations who form the object of her So
lieitude, institutions and reforms fitted to
ameliorate their lot? The Sublime Porte
anticipated such desire by deciding to re-
organize its system, and to establish in the
country useful and practical reforms, de-
signed to satisfy the wishes Of all its sub
jects, without distinction of race OF religion.
This work Of reorganization, governmental
and administrative, has for its base the Con-
stitution granted by his Imperial Majesty
the Sultan.
The country has received with satisfaction
and gratitude this charter, the application
of which, free from all hindrances, is des-
tined to produce all those effects which
would have been in vain expected from in
complete measures and refOTmations want
ing in sanction. A partial reform, which,
only applied to certain provinces to the eX-
clusion of the rest of the Empire, would
present grave inconvenience; for instance,
as regards matters of administration, eXcep-
tional favors accorded to separate provinces
hrft i'm oh hou hair
sequence to set in opposition one against an
other the inhabitants of different races who
live under the scepter of his Imperial Males
BY the Sultan, and would constitute, in fact,
premium offered to rebellion.
II any doubt could still survive as to the
religious fulfillment of the New Constitution
and of the reforms that we have promised in
the Conference of COnstantinople, this doubt
should disappear in the presence of the for
NAL and solemn declaration of the sincerity
of our resolutions. We proffer in this regard
a guarantee of which we invite Europe
to take act. The true and only cause of him
drance which might slacken our efforts in
this path would be found in the continual
ton of a state of war. Such situation is
not only disastrous with reference to re-
forms, but equally calamitous in regard to
the general prosperity of the country. 1t
kills agriculture and industry by keeping
under arms the flower of the labOring class
es; it imposes heavy charges upon the pub
lie treasury, and thus places obstacles in the
way of every amelioration of the economi
cal and financial condition of the Empire, to
the great prejudice of the general prosperi-
ty of the country and the special interests of
the creditors of the State.
1t results, then, from what has gone be-
fOre-the questions of reform being outside
the matter-that reason must still be
sought for the continuation of the war. The
desire of conquest has been loudly and pub
licy repudiated from the commencement of
hostilities by his Majesty, the Emperor
Alexander. The military honor of
the great Empire which he governs
remains intact, notwithstanding the
various fortunes of the campaign, and the
armies which confront each other have
equally covered themselves with glory on
the fields of battle. With what object should
they, then, prolong desOlation and ruin for
their respective countries? We on our part
think that the moment has come when both
belligerents might accept peace without for
felt to their dignity, andwhen Europe might
usefully interpose its good offices. AS for
the Imperial Government, it is ready to ask
this; not that the country has reached the
end of its resources. There are no sacri-
fees which the entire Ottoman nation is not
willing to face to maintain the independ-
ence and integrity of the Fatherland. But
the duty of the Imperial Government is to
avert, if possible, any further etfusion of
blood. 1t is, therefore, in the name of hui
mainly that we make this appeal to the sem
timents of justice in the Great Powers, and
that we hope they will be inclined to receive
our advance favorably.