Minister of England in Portugal, thus records his final visit:-"His intellect was as clear, his speech as incisive, his interest in poetry and politics as keen, as when I last saw him, three years ago. It was a beautiful English summer afternoon; a warm sun lit up his pale features, which fully retained their splendid outlines, and were entirely wanting in the wrinkles or withered look of extreme old age. I could not help thinking of the lines: 'Slow sinks more lovely ere his race be run.' He seemed some grand old Titan majestically sinking to his rest in all his glory, as if he knew the Infinite was waiting to receive him with all due honour.” He rests in the humble churchyard at Frant, in the presence of that expanded view over plain and hill which he had so often enjoyed. He deserved, it might have seemed, the highest funeral honours which the nation could bestow. But the dark shadow of the Turkish Empire cast its own shade of unpopularity over the statesman who had been so deeply identified in the public mind with the arduous task of supporting its existence; and the long retirement from public life, although glorified by the bright glow of his setting splendour, threw into the background those services to his country and to humanity at large which will long cause his name to be venerated by all who value the noble career of the Greatest English Ambassador in this century. A. P. S. II.-ENGLAND'S POLICY TOWARDS TURKEY III. THE TRUE MEANING OF THE EASTERN QUESTION XIII.-INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS : AND HOW THEY MAY BE MAINTAINED FOR THE BEST INTERESTS OF MANKIND TABLE OF EVENTS (1875 TO 1878.) 1875. July 1st.-Commencement of the Insurrection in Herzegovina. October 7th.-Repudiation of the Turkish debt. December 25th.-Purchase of Suez Canal shares by British Government. 1876. 66 January 31st.-The "Andrassy Note" communicated to the Porte by Austria, Germany and Russia. This note, to which England gave a general support," was drawn up by Count Andrassy, and proposed to the Porte the following reforms to be applied immediately to the insurgent provinces of Herzegovina and Bosnia, with a view to their pacification. 1. Religious liberty full and entire. 2. Abolition of the farming of taxes. 3. A law to guarantee that the product of the direct taxation of 5. The amelioration of the condition of the rural populations. Whereas these reforms had been already promulgated in the Hatti Houmouyon and former Hatti-Cherifs by the Porte but never really put in force, the Cabinets of Austria, Germany and Russia deemed it necessary that some kind of pledge in the form of a signed Convention should be given by the Turkish Government for their prompt and effectual execution or they on their part could not undertake to continue their efforts to restrain and pacify the insurgents. February 13th.-The Porte accepted four out of the five reforms contained in the Andrassy Note, but declined the third clause, by which the proceeds of the direct taxation in the provinces of Bosnia and Herzegovina should be expended on those provinces. TABLE OF EVENTS. May 1st.-Outbreak of insurrection in Bulgaria. xvii May 6th.-Mussulman riot at Salonica, murder of the French and German Consuls. May 13th.-The Berlin Memorandum drawn up by the Chancellors of the three Emperors who met for the purpose at Berlin. Proposes to insist with energy on an armistice of two months between the Porte and the insurgents in order to open a way for direct negotiations between the Turkish Government and the Herzegovinian and Bosnian delegates on the following points :— 1. That materials for the reconstruction of dwelling-houses and churches should be furnished to the returning refugees, and their subsistence should be assured to them till they could support themselves by their own labour. 2. In so far as the distribution of help should appertain to the Turkish Commissioner he should consult as to the measures to be taken with the mixed commission mentioned in the note of the 30th Dec. (Andrassy Note,) to guarantee the bona fide application of the reforms and control their execution. This Commission should be presided over by a Herzegovinian Christian, and be composed of natives faithfully representing the two religions of the country. They should be elected as soon as the Armistice should have suspended hostilities. 3. In order to avoid any collision, advice should be given at Constan- 4. Christians as well as Mussulmans should retain their arms. May 19th.-The British Government refused their concurrence in the Berlin Memorandum on the ground that the proposals could not be carried out by the Porte, and that if they could, the remedy would be only partial and fall short of the exigences of the case. May 24th.-British fleet ordered to Besika Bay. May 29th.-Deposition of Sultan Abdul Assiz and proclamation of his nephew Murad V. in his place. June 9th.-Statement of Mr. Disraeli in Parliament that the steps taken by Government in the affairs of the East were leading to the maintenance of honourable peace-Berlin Memorandum would not be presented. June 23rd.-Alleged cruelties committed by the Turks in the suppression of the Bulgarian Insurrection published in The Daily News. June 30th.-Servia and Montenegro declare war on Turkey. August 24th.—Prince of Servia, repeatedly beaten by the Turks, asks for the mediation of the Powers. August 31st.-Sultan Murad V. deposed in favour of his brother, Sultan Abdul Hamid. September 6th.—Publication of Mr. Gladstone's pamphlet, "Bulgarian Horrors." November 1st.-Armistice of eight weeks demanded by Russia in an Ultimatum dictated by the utter collapse of the Servian army. November 2nd.-The Emperor of Russia pledges his most sacred word of honour that he has no ambitious purpose, and if forced to occupy Bulgaria will only do so provisionally. November 10th.-The Czar announces publicly at Moscow his intention of acting alone should the Porte resist the demands of the Powers. November 20th.-Mobilization of the Russian army announced. December 23rd.-First meeting of the Conference at Constantinople and simultaneous announcement of the Turkish Constitution. December 28th.-Prolongation of the Armistice. 1877. January 20th.-Close of the Conference at Constantinople and final rejection by the Porte of the terms offered by the Powers. Reduced to a minimum they were: An International Commission nominated by Europe, without executive powers, and the appointment of Valis (GovernorsGeneral,) for five years, by the Sultan, with the approval of the guaranteeing Powers. February 27th.-Peace concluded at Constantinople between the Porte and Servia. March 19th.-Opening of the first Turkish Parliament. March 31st.-London Protocol signed-The Powers accept the assurances of the Porte as regards Reform-Recommend disarmament in face of peace with Servia and Montenegro.-Russian Emperor will treat of disarmament on his side if Turks will send a Special Envoy to St. Petersburg-Should the Sultan fail in his promises, and the state of the Christian populations not improve, the Powers reserve to themselves the right of deciding what further must be done. April 10th.-The Porte's answer to Protocol. She takes her stand on the Treaty of 1856, and admits no right of interference in her internal affairs. April 24th-Declaration of war by Russia. May 1st.-British proclamation of neutrality and entire disavowal and disapproval of the act of Russia, with further declaration that the latter has intentionally prevented a peaceful solution. June 12th.-Montenegro recommences hostilities. June 22nd.-Russians cross the Danube. June 25th.-Serious Russian reverses in Asia. July 20th.-Russian repulse at Plevna. August 4th.-Russian Imperial guard and re-inforcements ordered to Bulgaria. October 15th.-Defeat of Turks in Asia. November 18th.-Fall of Kars. December 10th.-Fall of Plevna. December 14th.-Servia declares war a second time. |