St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-04-12
Gortschakoff's Reply to Salisbury.
He Desires to Preserve Peace.
RoUMAN1A DEFIEs RUSSIA.

ROUMANIA DEFIEs RUSSIA.
LONDON, April 9. The Times issued
special edition tonight containing the
full text of Prince GOrtschakOff's reply
to Lord Salisbury's circular dispatch.
Prince GortschakOff contests Lord Sal
isbury's assertions point by point, but
the general tone of his reply appears
conciliatory. He denies that the treaty
of San Stefano creates "a strong Slav
State under the control of Russia, and
declares that the arrangements relative
to Bulgaria are only development OF
the principle established by the Con
stantinOple conference. He continues
Lord Salisbury admits that a return to
the programme of that conference, pure
and simple, is rendered impossible by
the war. The fact that the San Stefano
treaty is preliminary indicates that
Russia has not prejudged definitive re-
suits, and has left room for an Interior
understanding. Bulgaria will be under
Russian control no more than Rouma-
mia, which also owes its existence to
Russia. Russia is quite ready te
abridge the term of occupation of Bull
garia as much as possible. The limits
of Bulgaria has only been indicated in
general terms. In accordance with the
nationality of the population, the de-
tails will be left to a mixed commission.
The only object in assigning ports to
Bulgaria is to assist her commercial de-
velopment by which Europe and the
Mediterranean Powers, whose COM
merce has always been a powerful lever
for their political influence, are likely
TO profit far more than Russia.
Prince GOrtschakOff expresses sur
prise at the objections to the stipula-
tiOns of the treaty relative to Thessaly
and Epirus. By the modest reforms
stipulated, for it is intended to avoid
the appearance of either establishing
Russian supremacy, on the one hand, or
utterly neglecting the Greeks, on the
other, Russia did not forbid the Porte
to consult the European Powers as well
us Russia on the reform for the Greek
provinces.
There is no longer any pretext for
declaring Russia from the possession
of Bessarabia, as the freedom of the
Danube is secured by the International
Commission.
Prince GortschakOff's tone in regard
to Armenia is much more energetic.
He says Batoum is far from being
equivalent to the pecuniary indemnity
which it represents. The Russian ac-
QUESTIONS in Armenia have only a
defensive value. Russia wishes to hold
them so as not to have to besiege them
ut the beginning of each war. If En-
gland wishes to avert them she had
only to join Russia in exercising press
ure upon the Porte, which would prob
ably have compelled it to grant the re-
forms without war. England having
refused to do so she now has no right to
question the grounds for which Russia
has shed her blood, namely: The right
to establish a state of things which
hencefOrth will render such sacrifices
unnecessary, or at least less OnerOus.
The asset ton that RuSsia's anneXatiOns
in Armenia will interfere with Euro
pean trade with Persia conflicts with
statements previously made by the
British Ministers. Such assertions push
mistrust to the extreme. The COM
plants concerning the indemnity are
equally ill-founded. The sum is out of
all proportion to Russia's sacrifices. In
the deferment of the payment of the
indemnity it is easier to see design to
in the interest of all, than "a design to
paralyze Turkey, but there is no rene
dy against suspicion.
SUMMING UP THE SITUATION.
Prince GortschakOff says in conclusion
The situation may be summed up thus
The existing treaties have been sue
cessfully infringed by the Porte in vio-
lating it's obligations toward the Chris
tians. Lord Salisbury himself recOg-
nizes that great changes are necessary
in the treaties hitherto regulating the
East. 1t remains for Lord Salisbury to
say how he would reconcile these trea-
Britain and the other Powers with those
to which united action of Europe has
always been directed and the attain
ment of which one learns with pleasure
the English Government desires, name
ly, good government, peace and liberty
for the oppressed populations. 1t is
equally for the Marquis of Salisbury tC
say how he could attain the desired end
outside the preliminaries of San Stefano
and yet at the same time take due ac-
count of the rights Russia has acquired
by the sacrifices she has borne alone
Lord Salisbury's dispatch contains nc
reply to these questions. 1t seems that
the entire liberty of association and
action would have been more naturally
found by formulating side by side with
the objections contained in that dis
patch, some practical propositions of 6
nature to assure an understanding fol-
the solution of the present difficulties.
RUSSIA WILLING TO COMPROMISE.
ST. PETERSBURG, April 9. The Jour.
nal de st. Petersburg says: "None car
exercise pacific influence better thar
the Berlin Cabinet. which inspires con.
fdence at Vienna, London and st
Petersburg. If the congress assemblies
for the discussion of new guarantees
Russia will test them with a sincere
wish to find them sufficient"
THE PLUCKY ROUMANIANs DEFY RUSSIA
BUCHAREST, April 9. The report is
confirmed that Prince Ghika has beer
authorized to inform Prince Gortscha,
kOff that the Roumanian army would
suffer itself to be crushed rather than
be disarmed. Prince Charles has mott
| fed the Russian Consul to the same eff
| feet
1t is stated that Russia is about to re-
linquish the clause of the treaty guar
anteeing the passage of her army
through Roumania, and will send a del
eData tn treat directlv with tho Pom