Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-19
He Makes a speech.
Summary of What the Congress Had
Done for Turkey.
Why Austria Occupies Bosnia.

LONDON, July Is. Lord Beaconsfeld, on en-
terng the old palace yard on his way to the house
OF lords about five o'clock this afternoon, was
heartily cheered by great crowd which had as
sembied there to greet him. He experienced
much difficulty in passing through the throng al
though accompanied by = squad OF police.
Tue public interest in the promised statement
by Beaconsfeld attracted large and distinguish
ed assembly to the house of lords, including the
Princess of Wales and other members of the roy
al family.
When Beaconsfeld entered there was cons der-
able cheering. He looked well and beti aged nc
especial feeling al his brilliant reception. About
five minutes later Lord Salisbury entered, and
then Beaconsfeld rose amid loud chez ring.
He said that in laying the table the protoc OILS
of the treaty OF Berlin. be should be only doing
his duty to the house Of parliament and the coun-
try, by making some remarks upon the policy
supported by the British representatives in the
congress.
lie could show that in the changes made in the
treaty Of san Stefano by the treaty of Berlin
that u menace to the independence of Europe had
been removed, and threatened injury to the Brit.
sh empire terminated.
The congress had restored to the sultan two
thirds of his possessions, the population be ing
amongst the most wealthy aud intelligent OF his
subjects. 1t was said that when the congress
talked OF establishing Balkan frontiers of what
may be called new Turkey, they were establishing
ndefcnslble frontier, but il was upon courage
huu tuht tue lmpleknhDlltN utpenueu
and it would be found that ii left TO those who
defended Plevns, that the frontier could hot be
indefe nsible.
1t was said that the position of Sofia was yield
ed to the imperious demands of one of the pow
ers. He could assure their lordships that there
was not a shadow of truth in the statement
Moreover, parsonage high in authority had stat
ed that IL WAS quite erroneous to suppose that
sofia WAS q strong strategic position.
1t had been said the congress made great mis-
take in not securing Vsrna for Turkey, but those
who blame the congress for committing an error
in this respect quite forgot that they have allotted
to Turkey the hsrbOr OF Gslsiz, by far the mos,
important in The Black sea.
With regard to eastern Roumelia, it WAS at one
time suggested to call il South Bulgaria, but il
was feared there might be some intriguing par
ties who would endessor to tring about q union
between the two States, possibly creating fresh
mp!icstions.
Loid Besconsfeld further stated that the opin
ion above mentioned, that sofia wa, not q strong
strsgtcgical position, was that of Mehemet AL
PasDs, who however considered the Pass of lck-
timan, which the congress secured to the sultan
as virtually important.
Lord Beaconshel Ids statement showed through
out a strong bias in favor of the Turks. This he
almost apologzed tor In the limitation of the sui
tan's authority in eastern Russia, SAVING as gen
eal rule it was thought unwise to interfere with
military power which you acknowledge, yet in
consideration of the awful events OF which east
ern Roumea has been the scene, it had been
thought advisable in order to prevent their recur-
renee, to establish Of government somewhat diff.
ierent from that OF the Turkish provinces where
the sutsn's authority might be called unlimited
No limit, however, had been placed on the force
the sultan might introduce Tor the defence o.
eastern Rounelis.
One of the greatest obstacles to an object in
which the congress was UNANIMOUS namely, the
re-esablshment of the suans real Independent
authority WAS the anarchist condition of Bosnia
and the neghboring countries
Ills oidsbp continuing, said the most compe-
tent authorities had convinced him that it would
have taken fifty Thousand of Turkeys best troop:
TO secure any approach to order in Bosnia. Even
then the attempt perhaps would have been unsuc
cessful, and such an effort must have secured the
absolute ruin of Turkey.
lie disclaimed any desire to attribute Austrian
occupation to necessity. Submitting to the wi-he.
Of q majority Of COM ress, Austria undertook the
occupation at the suggestion of Lord Salisbury
earnestly supported by himself The object il
recommending the occupation was to protect Tur
key. The government had consistently raised tn,
principle OF partition OF Turkey because exclu
slve OF the consideration of morality. it believed
| all attempt TO par iiion would inevitably lead t
long anu sanguinary war.