Disturbances of 1860. but moderate success, for nearly twenty years[1]. In 1860 the Lebanon was the scene of wholesale massacres of the Maronites by the Druses. Whereupon a Conference Conference at Paris. of the representatives of the Five Powers and of Turkey was held at Paris, and on 3rd August two Protocols were signed by them to the following effect[2]:—
Protocol (1) of 3rd August.His Imperial Majesty the Sultan, wishing to stop, by prompt and efficacious measures, the effusion of blood in Syria, and to show his firm resolution to establish order and peace amongst the populations placed under his sovereignty, and their Majesties the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor of the French, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Prussia, and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, having offered their active co-operation, which His Majesty the Sultan has accepted, the Representatives of their said Majesties and of His Royal Highness have agreed upon the following Articles :—
Art. 1. A body of European troops, which may be increased to 12,000 men, shall be sent to Syria to contribute towards the re-establishment of tranquillity.
Art. 2. His Majesty the Emperor of the French agrees to furnish immediately the half of this body of troops. If it should become necessary to raise its effective force to the number stipulated in the preceding Article, the High Powers would come to an understanding with the Porte without delay by the ordinary course of diplomacy, upon the designation of those among them who would have to povide it.
Art. 3. The Commander-in-chief of the expedition will, on his arrival, enter into communication with the Commissioner Extraordinary of the Porte, in order to concert all the measures required by circumstances, and to take up the positions which there may be occasion to occupy in order to fulfil the object of the present Act.
Art. 4. Their Majesties the Emperor of Austria, the Emperor of the French, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Prussia, and His Majesty the Emperor of all the Russias, promise to maintain, on the coast of Syria, sufficient naval forces to contribute towards the success of the common
