Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-07-23
Peace in Europe.
SYNOPSIS OF THE BERLIN TREATY.

The Peace of Europe has taken anoth-
er lease of life, and let it be hoped long
one. The congress Of the powers at Ber-
lin ended its labors Saturday the 18th
inst, and the treaty of peace between
Turkey and Russia, as revised and
amended, was formally signed. The re-
suits of the war thus closed are of vast
Importance to civilization, notwith-
standing the failure of Russia to accom-
plish all it desired. The master hand
of Lord Beaconsfieid appears Gin the
terms of the treaty. To him theS Porte
owes his continued existence on both
sides of the Bosphorus. But the re-
modelling of European Turkey and the
English protectorate of Armenia will be
the beginning of new life for the Mus
sulman empire. Already English enter
prise is directed twards Cyprus. The
new provinces in Europe must soon re-
vive and progress under liberal regime.
The systematic prosecutions for reli-
gion's sake are at al end, and as soon as
the asperities of the war are worn away,
though the atrQxties which preceded
and attended it may never be forgotten,
there is no reason why there should not
begin long reign of peace and prosper
ity.
LIZ ACAAOW1 10 tAC VI tHc
articles of the treaty of peace concluded
by the Berlin congress:
Article I. Bulgaria is constituted an
automatic tributary principality, under
the suzerainty Of the Sultan, with a
Christian government and national
militia.
Article II. The principally is limited
south by the Balkans.
Article III. The Prince shall be elect
ed by the population and confirmed by
the Porte end the powers. No member
of reigning European dynasty shall be
Prince. In the event Of a vacancy a
new prince will be elected under the
same conditions.
Article ~. The plan of government
will be prepared by an assembly of no.
bles, convoked at Tirnova before the
election of a prince. The rights of the
Turks, Roumanians, Greeks and others
will be taken account of in whatever re-
lates to the election or government.
Article Y. The following shall form
the basis of the public law of Bulgaria !;
Distinction of religious belief OF confess
sion shall not operate against any one
as a reason of conclusion or incapacity
in what concerns enjoyment of political
rights, admission to public employment,
functions or honors, or the exercise of
the different professions and industries.
Liberty of public profession of all creeds
shall be assured to all the returned pop
ulation of Bulgaria, as well to strangers.
No trammels shall be imposed on the
hierarchic organization of different COM
municns or their relations with their
spiritual chiefs.
Article vi. Until a permanent organ
ization is completed Bulgaria shall be
governed by a provisional organiz cation,
directed by Russian commissioners, who
will be assisted by delegated consuls of
the great powers.
Article VII. The proyisory govern
ment shall not be prolonged over nine
months, by which time the organic gov
ernment shall be settled and a Prince
elected.
Article VIII. Treaties of commerce,
&C., between the Forte and other powers
The people and commerce of all powers
are to be placed on footing of equality.
Article TX. The tribute to the Horte
shall be settled by the signatory powers
at the end of the first year of the new
organization. Bulgaria shall bear part
of the public debt of the empire.
Article X. The principality shall car
ry out existing railway conventions be-
tween Austro- Hungary, Servia and the
Porte.
Article XI. The Ottoman army shall
evacuate Bulgaria, all the fortresses shall
be destroyed within a year, and new
ones shall not be erected.
Article XII. Mussulmans who renoy-
ed from the principality can retain their
real property by allowing it to be ad.
ministefed by third parties. A Turkish
Bulgarian commission shall.be. engaged
two years with the regulation ofall mat
tiers relative to the transfer of state pro-
perties and religious foundations.
Article XIII. There is formed south
OF the Balkans the province of Eastern
Roumelia, under the DIRECT political au-
thorlty OF the Sultan, having admins
trative autonomy and Christian gov
ernor- general.
Article XIV, fixing the limits, is mis-
sing.
Article XIV. The Sultan shall fortify
the. frontiers, keep troops there, employ
no lrregulars nor quarter troops on the
inhabitants. Internal order shall be
preserved by Q native gendarmerie and
local militia, in the composition of
which account shall be taken of the reli-
glon of the Inhabitants where they are
stationed, the officers to be named by the
Sultan.
Article NVI. The governor may call
on turkish troops ifsecurity is menac-
Article XVII. The governor shall be
appointed for five years, by the Porte,
with the assent of the powers.
Article NVIII. A European commits
sion shall determine, in three years, the
powers OF the governor; also the judicial,
financial and administrative require
ments of the province.
Articles XIX, Xxx and XXI provide
that all international arranUoroante or.