Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-18

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that Great Britain, Russia and France
have agreed upon pro-
Proposed gram as basis for a con-
ference to revise the treaty
of Berlin of 1873. The
grand lines of the proposed revision.
either real or fictitious. have been pub
lished in the London and Paris journals
to the dismay and disgust of diplomatic
circles on both sides of the channel
which promptly denounced the publica-
tons. 1t is regarded by the public. how
ever. as significant that the official re-
quotations were preceded by visits OF
Germany's representatives to the British
foreign office and to the Quai d'Orsay.
The repudiated note has all the ap-
pearance of a genuine proposition. 1T
recognizes the Independence of Bulgaria,
1.-THE annexation of Herzegovina py
Austria Hungary, the sovereignty or
Montenegro with rectification of frontiers
of both Montenegro and Servia. the union
of Crete to Greece. a stay or proceed
ings in the application of the European
regulations in Turkish provinces pending
the action of the new Ottoman consti-
tuition. free navigation of the Danube
(the Dardanelles appears to have been
overlookedD finally. the best means to
abolish the capitulations.
This last subject may prove the
stumbling block of the proposed conven-
ton. 1t is not at all likely that Ger
many will adhere to this clause. nor. in
deed, the United States. because or the
safeguard it offers to its merchants ana
missionaries resident in the Ottoman
enpire. which, of course. includes Egypt.
Do the powers accredited with this note
propose to offer Germany and the United
States "compensations" in view of their
assent?
The results of the Franco-Prussian
war in 1871 removed France from the
prominent part which she had played in
blocking the ambitions of Russia. The
war declared by Servia and Montenegro
against Turkey in 1876 furnished the En-
peror Alexander II the pretext he so
eagerly sought to avenge' Russian de-
feat in 1865, and as the champion of the
Christians in the Balkans.
The treaty of San Stefano established
Montenegro, Servia and Roumania as in
dependent kingdoms. the
San Stefano latter retroceding Bessa-
rabia to Russia in ex-
Treaty. change for Dobrondja.
that part of Roumana between the Black
sea and the Danube. Bulgaria was made
powerful principality. extending from
the Danube to Thessaly, from the Aegean
TO the Black sea. leaving Turkey con-
stantinople and Salonika. Bulgaria. I'M
der an autonomous prince. was placed
| under the protection of Russia. Russia
was accorded ports in Asia, Batoum ano
KarS and important territories in Ar
rnena. Bosnia, Herzegovina, Armenia
and Crete were accorded semi-autonomy
under Russian protection, and certain
sphere OF influence in what remained of
Turkey. Russia was granted a war m
demnty from Turkey of 3OO,OOO0OO ru-
bles. The passage of the DardanelleS was
to be open in peace or in war to Russian
merchant ships and neutrals bound for
Russian ports.
The announcement in England OF the
terms of the treaty fell like a thunder
bolt Lord Beaconstield ordered the mo-
bilization of the reserves, and Indian
troops were hurried to Port Said. Eng
land it will be borne in mind. was the
special protectress then of Turkey, and
was ready to resent any attempt upon
her integrity in Europe.
Count Schouvaloff, Russian ambassador
at London, writes in his souvenirs In
edits that From the commencement
remarked that EnSland's main object was
to cut Bulgaria in two. leaving the line
of the Balkans to the sultan, in order to
defend him against future Russian ag-
gression However grave the change or
frontier in Asia Minor and the abandon
ment to Russia of Kars. and, above all.
BatUum, the question of the Balkans was
more important than all else in the eyes
of the British cabinet.
And Count Schouvaloff adds: This was
a mistake. committed by Lord Salisbury
and by Lord Beaconsfield. 1t was evil
dent that The cutting of Bulgaria into two
Bulgarias could only be a fictitious sep
aration even with the line of the Bal
kaus in the hands of the Turks. L re-
member to have proposed to Lord Sails
bury when he sought denomination for
these two Bulgarias, that one should be
named Satisfied Bulgaria. the other
Dissatisfied Bulgaria.
Prince Bismarck was requested to take
the initiative and convoke the congress
under the following form
Terms of ula: Each of the pow
p:.. ers in accepting the con-
gress declare themselves
willing to discuss all of the points of the
treaty of San Stefano."
The revision of the treaty of San Ste
fano by the conference of Berlin. July Ii,
1873, may be briefly reviewed thus:
First. Bulgaria was established a prin-
cipality vassal of Turkey: Roumelia an
autonomic province of Turkey. (Septem-
Der Is, 1885, a revolution at Philippopoli
resulted in union with Bulgaria, violating
thus an essential clause Of the treaty or
Berin.)
Second, Crete was confirmed as vassal
to Turkey, with the proviso that the regu-
latiOnS established in 1858 should be APP
piled by Turkey. (Turkey failed to per-
form her obligations. which failure led to
the war between Turkey and Greece in
1879
Third, Greece and Turkey were invited
to agree upon rectiiication of frontiers,
which was not concluded until 1881.
Fourth, Bosnia-Herzegovina should be
occupied by Austria-Hungary, a decision
inspired by the desire to prevent the in
crease of the Sav influence on the south
ern border of Austria-Hungary and to
diminish Russian force in any action
against the Ottoman empire.
Fifth, Montenegro was converted into
an independent kingdom.
Sixth. Servia was recognized as an in
dependent princpality established as
king dom posterior to the treaty Of Berlin).
Seventh. Roumania was recognized as
an independent kingdom composed Of the
principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia.
Eighth, Danube. The European control
of the navigation of this river was eStab-
lished by the treaty of
Danube Paris. The treaty of Berlin.
con+ro, in order to assure its free
navigation declared that
it's Notifications should be RACED from
Portes-de-Fer to the mouth of the Dan
ube and that no warship should be per-
mitted to navigate its waters in time of
peace.