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    September 24, 1853.] THE LEADER. 917

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    Cot7nt Nessemode S Inteepbetation Of The...

    " 2 nd . The omissions and additions of words , which are m here with a striking affectation , have evidently the bWect of enfeebling the treaty of Kainardji , whilst assuming the appearance of confirming it . The wording of the Note first adopted at Vienna was , ' Faithful to the letter and to the spirit of the * stipulations of the treaties of Kaina rdji and Adrianople , relative to the protection of the Chris tian worship , the Sultan regards it as due to his honour to preserve from all Attack the immunities and privileges accorded to the orthodox Church . ' The reading which would turn aside the spirit of the treaty , that is to gay , from the general principle laid down in the 8 th article relative to the maintenance of immunities , applies

    to the view which we had expressed , and to which we still hold ; for , in our opinion , the promise to protect a worship and its churches comprises within it the maintenance of the immunities which they possess . The two things are inseparable . This reading , first adopted at Vienna , was afterwards subjected at London and at Paris to a modification ; and if at that time we did not raise any objection , as we had a right to do , it was not that we made any illusion of the sense of the change . We perfectly comprehended the difference made between two points , which in respect to us are inseparably united . But the distinction was indicated in a manner so delicate that , in the spirit of conciliation , and in the desire to arrive as soon as possible at a solution , we admitted the reading which from that moment we have considered as invariable .

    " These motives of condescension are no more applicable to the new changes which have been made in the same passage at Constantinople . The line of demarcation between the two objects is too strictly traced to enable us to admit those changes without disowning all that we have said and written . The mention of the treaty of Eainardji becomes superfluous , and its confirmation without object , from the moment in which it is ceased to apply the general principle to the maintenance of the religious immunities of the Christian worship . It is with this

    end that these two words have been suppressed- —' the letter and the s pirit . ' They bring forward without any necessity the fact , that the protection of the Christian worship is exercised by the Porte , as if we raised the pretension to exercise ourselves / that protection in the States of the Sultan ; and as they omit , at the same time , to remember that , according to the letter of the treaty , this protection is a promise made by the Sultan—an obligation accepted by him—it would appear that they desired to question the right which we have to see to the punctual fulfilment of that promise .

    " 3 rd . The modification introduced into this passage of the Austrian Note is especially inadmissible . The Ottoman Government would bind itself onl y to allow the orthodox worship to participate in the advantages which it would accord to other religious communities , subjects of the Porte . But from the moment in which these communities , Catholics or others , should not be constituted of native persons , but of foreign priests and laics ( and this is the case in almost all the convents , hospitals , seminaries , and bishoprics of the Latin rite in Turkey ) , from the moment , we say , in which it should please the Porte to accord to these establishments new advantages and privileges , the orthodox communities would not , according to the words sought to be introduced into the Note , have the right to demand the same favours for themselves , nor Russia to engage herself for them .

    " The ill-disposed intention of the Ministers of the Porte will become still more evident if we indicate the examplo of a possible case . Let us suppose the probablo case of the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem , the last appointed , receiving from the Porte privileges which the Greek Patriarch has not . Every demand on the part of the last would be repelled , because ho is tho subject of the Porte . The same objection might bo takon by the Ottoman Ministry in that which concerns the Catholic establishments in Palestine , as soon as a new advantage , not mentioned in tho last firman , should bo accorded to them , to tho detriment of the nativo communities . "

    Wo said last week that tho scimitar would untie tho knot of tho Eastern Question . All tho latest accounts from Constantinople represent tho daily and hourly increasing oxasperation of tho Turks at the long delays and doubtful words , of tho " Allies , " and tho burning desiro for instant war . Hero is tho translation of a placard that was widely spread through Constantinople on tho 20 th and 30 th of August : —• " O very powerful Padishah ! all your subjects aro ready to sacrifice ) their lives , thoir property , and thoir children in your imperial service ; but you aro also bound to

    unsheath tho sword of Mahomet that you havo girded , likeyour ancestors , in tho mausoloum of Ebi-Eyoub-Eusnary ( Kyoub , a disciplo of Mahomet , killed under tho walls of Constantinople in 008-48 of Egyro ) . Tho hesitation of your mimstora in this respect has shown itsolf for a con-Hidorablo poriod from thoir occupying themselves solely with thoir personal interests . Thin stato of things may ( from which tho Lord presorvo us !) throw us into a groat danger . Therefore , your victorious army , and tho magnates ! your hIuvgh , absolutely demand war lor tho defence of your incontestable rights , O Padishah !" Another mnv bo translated thus .:

    —"Thy pooplo aro armed , in order to defend thoir rights vith weapons in their hands ; if thou art worthy of thy forefathers and of tho throne , thon draw tho sword , and load uh on to tho war ; if not , thon descend from tho throno , mid mako room for a worthier . " A deputation from the Ulotnas had waited on tho Sultan , and given him tho alternative of declaring war or abdicating hia throno ; requiring 1 uh answer at tho Feast of Uairain . , Placards continued to be posted on tho walls of tho ci ( . y and of tho mosques , culling upon tho Divan to declare war agaiuHt RuHHia ; and addruuflcn to tho Rujtan and l » in Jninmter . s were being signed publicly by tho inhabitants , praying the Sultan to lead them againut tho eriorny without waiting longer for tho support of England or franco , ' who , " they add , " had dourly proved that Turkey could

    not depend on them . " Those addresses and placards had produced much effect on the lower classes , and it was doubtful at what point the popular effervescence would stop .. ¦ ¦ •¦ ¦ . Several Turkish caricatures have app e ared of late in Constantinople bearing hard upon England . In one of these the Emperor of Russia is represented as feloniously breaking into Buckingham Palace ; Prince Albert rushes to defend his house and family , but Lord Aberdeen holds

    him back , declaring the outrage not to be a casus belli . The English names for the vessels of war , & c , are , by a slight change , made to express the Turkish for anything but what is respectful . Of course these caricatures are not allowed to be publicly exposed . The following is a substantial transcript of the Manifesto of the Porte , which appeared in the official journal of Constantinople on the 4 th inst ., but the publication of which was stopped after a few cop ies had been struck off :-

    —" After the occupation of Wallachia and Moldavia by the Russians , the Sublime Porte protested before the Four Powers , in conformity with its ancient custom . Some days before the departure of Prince Menschikoff from Constantinople , the Sublime Porte framed a Note , which , in consequence of its not having been accepted by the Russian Ambassador / remained unexecuted . One of the terms of that Note Was the evacuation of the Principalities , after which an Ambassador was to repair to St . Petersburg . The Four Powers interfered , with the view of bringing the two parties in dispute to an amicable arrangement , and

    with that object they framed a Note , which was immediately communicated to them . That Note was accepted by Russia in the same form in which it was drawn up , and we were informed of this by the telegraph from Vienna as far as Belgrade , and thence by an extraordinary courier . By that act the Four Great Powers gave proofs of their goodwill and their friendship for the maintenance of our integrity . The Vienna Note , when examined with attention , showed some points which could not and which cannot be admitted either by his Majesty the Sultan , who desires to maintain the right of his ancestors in this grave question , or by his Ministers , who are bound by it . of his

    " For some months past the Government Majesty has made great preparations with the object of maintaining its solidity , and such being the case , the Note to which we have referred cannot be accepted ; and to resolve the pending question , it cannot accept other than the Note modified by the Sublime Porte , and under the official guarantee of the Four Powers . It is to that point the solution tends , and of this all its Ambassadors have been informed . " On . the same question we have received a letter from his Majesty the Emperor of Austria , to which we have replied after the same manner in which we now express ourselves . " Such is the actual state of the question , and ns to the turn which it may take hereafter , intelligence of a more recent date will inform us .

    " Awaiting tho results which may take place , the Sublime Porte will maintain the footing , with respect to its armaments , which it occupies at thi 3 moment—and such is the decision of all . " The Constantinople Correspondent of the Chronicle gives a livel y account of the appearance of the Bosphorus and of the' character of tho Turks as sailors : — " Tho Bosphorus never was so full of shipping as at this moment . Hundreds of vessels are lying thero waiting for a south wind to sail up to tho Black Sea , and load corn at Odessa . Tho appearance of the Bosphorus is peculiarly interesting at this time , owing to tho warlike preparations sot on foot by tho Government . At tho entrance of tho Goldon Horn thero lie anchored ships of every

    nation , British and French war steamers and frigates , an American brig , a Russian steamer , a Dutch steamer—tho moving watch-towers of tho far North . As you proceed up tho brilliant stream , overy turn brings you to now scenes of activo interest . From leaving Constantinople , up to . Tonikoi , Turkish steam-frigates and corvettes dot tho waters . On turning tho curvo near Thorapia , tho green tents of the Egyptian army on tho heights near tho Giant ' s Mountain rise to view , whilst the bay of Buyukdoro discloses tho Ottoman fleet , which strotehes across tho whole length of tho inhabited portion of tho European coast up to tho entrance of tho Black Sea . These monstrous ships give tho acono a warlike aspect , well in keeping with the numerous forts , bristling with artillery , that lino both tho Asiatic and European coast at that point ;

    and tho charming scenery combines to render tho general effect as admirable as it is interesting . Tho Mahmondd , flag-ship of the admiral , carries 12 ( 5 guns , and is in . every respect , as aro also tho rest of tho fleet , . superiorl y oquipped . Tho Turkish artillerymen aro oxcollont . A British naval officer oxpresseu his astonishment to me at their precision in firing . As regards tho crown , all that can bo flaid is , that they are ordorly and obedient , and competent to fulfil tho duties that may fall to thorn , namely , tho dofonco of the entrance to tho Bosphoru .-j ; but they are not sailors , in tho English senno of tho term ; and how can thoy bo expected to be boP No Turkish ship cruises forth to tho Atlantic . It ia only by crossing tho uoas , or by contending with tho element thoy live on , that , sailora aro inndo . Tho Turks aro vory good

    noa-noldioru ; it cannot , however , bo disguised that Bailors thoy aro not . Tho Groolcn aro tho uuamen of tho Levant . None are ,- howovor , to bo found on board Turkish mou-ofwa ' r , an tho Porte cannot trust them . Considering tho annihilation of tho Turkish iloot nt Navarino , and thoimb-Hoquoni prostration of Ottoman seamanship , tho immense floot that has boon equipped and ably organized by Turkey is matter of astonishment . Since tho rupture with RuHnin wonders have boon done—an iminoiiHo army htm been raiaod and equipped , and in at this raomont on tho banks of tho Danubo , piuiting for tho contest . " Another correspondent writes from tho oamp ifcsolf : ¦—" Bchumla is a vu » t entrenched camp that can bo dofondod by 26 , 000 mm , ana in capablo of contttinW 100 , 000 ,

    It has also been rebuilt on a much better plan , and M totally different from what it -was in 1828 . My time is much taken up ; but you shall hear from me again . Tho most perfect discipline reigns in the whole army , not to speak of the general wish for war . The sanitary state of the army is most satisfactory . Out of 16 , 000 men , incredible to say , there are but 300 sick . Nevertheless , the troops -work most assiduously at the fortifications , and at their military duties . This proportion is the fifth of what is generally calculated . The Turkish soldier is much better fed than is generally the case in Europe . The irregular appearance of these troops strikes a European eye displeasingly ; but it is part of a system . On the whole , this camp gives one an idea of the camp at Boulogne in 1803-4 . ''

    The commander of tho fortress of Varna has received orders to prepare for the reception of 12 , 000 men . The fortifications are almost completed , under the direction of French and Prussian officers . The soldiers work four hours a-day ; and the inhabitants , each one day in ten . There has been a truly Russian attempt to get rid of Omer Pacha : — " The following fact has been communicated to us , " say » the Constitutionnel , " and we find it confirmed by letter * both from Constantinople and Schumla . A European physician , who arrived some months back at Constantinople , obtained , by dint of solicitation , the direction of the military hospital of Schumla . It appears that Omer Pacha soon perceived that this person kept up mysterious

    relations with Russian spies , and , in consequence , he kept on his guard . Soon after , being warned that there was an intention to poison him , he feigned to be indisposed , and sent for the medical man in question to attend him . This person , after examining the patient , went out to pro pare a calming potion , which , on hi 3 return , he presented to Omer Pacha to drink . The general-in-chief of the Turkish army requested the physician to taste it first himself ; and as the other refused to do so , he forced him to drink the whole of it in his presence . Seeing that the physician then wanted to hurry out , he forced him to remain in the tent , in order that he might judge of the effect of the potion . At the end of some hours the physician died from poison . "

    The Journal de Constantinople gives the following account of a review of the Egyptian troops by the Sultan , on the 20 th ult .: — " On Tuesday last his Imperial Majesty the Sultan went to the camp of the troops from Egypt , at Selir-Bournou , to pass them in review . On the arrival of his Majesty at the port of Fnkiar Skelessi , all the vessels of the fleet were decked out , and their crews on the yards joined the troops who were drawn tip in line of battle from the landingplace to the bottom of the valley , in greeting the Sultan with repeated cries of AllaJiummb onsour Soultanena ( O our God , aid our Sultan !) All the bands of the regiments and tho fleet then performed warlike marches , whilst the cannon of tke fleet and of the fortresses of the Bosphorus

    sent forth their thunders . His Majesty , who wore a military uniform , the grand decoration in brilliants of the Medjidie , and a magnificent sword enriched with precious stones , was attended by his ordinary suite . He was received on landing by Mehemit Ali Pacha , Grand Seraskier ; Ahmed Tethi Pacha , Grand Master of the Artillery . ; Mahmoud Pacha , Grand Admiral ; and Mehemet Ruschdi Pacha , General-in-Chief of tho Imperial Guard . The Sultan mounted a magnificent Arabian horse , and passed tho review of the troops , who on his passage continued the same acclamations . Arrived at the Cliemsi 6 , a tent in the form of a beautiful parasol , on the height of Solir-Bournou , tho Sultan commanded the attendance of his ministers ,

    and immediately after tho superior officers of the troops , which he had passed in review , headed by General Sehm Pacha , wore admitted to the honour of depositing at the foot of his Imperial Majest y tho homage of their devotedness . Tho Sultan delivered a speech , in which ho manifested his satisfaction at tho line appearance of tho troops , and praised tho activity and zeal of Abbas Pacha . After tho speech of the Sultan tho troops filed off before tho imperial tent , and went towards the camp . As n testimony of his satisfaction tho Sultan doigned to order all tho contingent from Egypt an extra mouth ' s pay . The doparturo of his Imperial Majesty was , like his arrival , saluted with flourishes of trumpets , acclamations , and tho firing of artillory . "

    Izzot Paclia , a voteran , who is remembered for his dofonco of Varna , in tho last war with Russia , has been appointed to tho Governorship of Belgrade : a significant post for a significant man . Tho Russians aro making overy preparation to pass tho winter in tho Principalities . General GortBclmkoU' had gone to Bucharest , to inspect the corps under the command of General Luden . In Bulgaria , tho cold I ihh already driven tho Turks from their tentn ; and in tho 1 ' rincipahtioH tho Russian * will booh bo compelled to occupy burrntiks . It ; is affirmed that tho Porto hatt positively orderod tho two TTospodurs of Moldavia and Walhiohia to rotiro from tho PrincripalitioH . Several bayards have boon arrowtcd for keeping up a correspondence with Omer I ' aeho , mforming l » im of Mio movomoufcH of tho RuHsian army .

    The Horviuefl of tho Jttmsiim post at Constantinople is HUHponded iukI tho pontniaHter ban # <> ' » " Odessa . Tho Boy of Tunis lms informed tho Porto that Juh contingent is tomIv to take tho field . 8 ( earner * are about to he sent for theno troops to roinfurco tho garrison of Oonstautinoplo . , , ,.,. ' , . Tho Servian Government hn « declared that it cannot fight against tho Emperor of Itusain—itn co-rolifijionwt ; but it has promised to abtttnin , at all avolilti , from wiy hostilities against tho Sultan . The latest accounts from Constantinople mention , that M . AnryMH > ouI <> H , tho interpreter of tho ai-dnvunt Russian Embassy , has boon nedulounly vimling tho loading inomhoxa of tho Turkish Government , and endeavouring to convmco thorn that all tho difficulty proceeds from tho moddiiug of tho Wwtorn Poworu , wul Ojwfc it wum for tho

    September 24, 1853.] The Leader. 917

    September 24 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . 917

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Sept. 24, 1853, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_24091853/page/5/