The European Concert in the Eastern Question/Appendix 2
II
Russia and the Porte.
(1)
The Preliminary Treaty of Peace, signed at San Stefano, 17th March, 1878[1].
His Majesty the Emperor of Russia and His Majesty the Emperor of the Ottomans, inspired with the wish of restoring and securing the blessings of peace to their countries and people, as well as of preventing any fresh complication which might imperil the same, have named as their Plenipotentiaries, with a view to draw up, conclude, and sign the Preliminaries of Peace :
His Majesty the Emperor of Russia on the one side, the Count Nicolas Ignatiew, &c., and Sieur Alexander Nelidow, &c.
And His Majesty the Emperor of the Ottomans on the other side, Safvet Pasha, &c., and Sadoullah Bey, &c.
Who, after having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in good and proper form, have agreed to the following Articles : —
Moutenegro[Art. I. In order to put an end to the perpetual conflicts between Turkey and Montenegro, the frontier which separates the two countries will be rectified, conformably to the map hereto annexed, subject to the reserve hereinafter mentioned, in the following manner : —
From the mountain of Dobrostitza the frontier will follow the line indicated by the Conference of Constantinople as far as Korito by Bilek. Thence the new frontier will run to Gatzko (Metochia-Gatzko will belong to Montenegro), and towards the confluence of the Piva and the Tara, ascending towards the north by the Drina as far as its confluence with the Lim. The eastern frontier of the Principality will follow this last river as far as Prijepolje, and will proceed by Roshaj to Sukha-Planina (leaving Bihor and Roshaj to Montenegro). Taking in Bugovo, Plava, and Gusinje, the frontier line will follow the chain of mountains by Shlieb, Paklen, and along the northern frontier of Albania by the crests of the mountains Koprivnik, Babavik, Bor-vik, to the highest peak of Prokleti. From that point the frontier will proceed by the summit of Biskaschik, and will run in a straight line to the Lake of Tjiceni-hoti. Dividing Tjiceni-hoti and Tjiceni-kastrati, it will cross the Lake of Scutari to the Boyana, the thalweg of which it will follow as far as the sea. Nichsich, Gatzko, Spouje, Podgoritza, Jabliak, and Antivari will remain to Montenegro.
A European Commission, on which the Sublime Porte and the Government of Montenegro shall be represented, will be charged with fixing the definite limits of the Principality, making on the spot such modifications in the general tracing as it may think necessary and equitable, from the point of view of the respective interests and tranquillity of the two countries, to which it will accord in this respect the equivalents deemed necessary.
The navigation of the Boyana having always given rise to disputes between the Sublime Porte and Montenegro, will be the subject of a special regulation, which will be prepared by the same European Commission.]
[Art. II. The Sublime Porte recognizes definitively the independence of the Principality of Montenegro.
An understanding between the Imperial Government of Russia, the Ottoman Government, and the Principality of Montenegro will determine subsequently the character and form of the relations between the Sublime Porte and the Principality as regards particularly the establishment of Montenegrin Agents at Constantinople, and in certain localities of the Ottoman Empire, where the necessity for such agents shall be recognized, the extradition of fugitive criminals on the one territory or the other, and the subjection of Montenegrins travelling or sojourning in the Ottoman Empire to the Ottoman laws and authorities, according to the principles of international law and the established usages concerning the Montenegrins.
A Convention will be concluded between the Sublime Porte and Montenegro to regulate the questions connected with the relations between the inhabitants of the confines of the two countries and with the military works on the same confines. The points upon which an understanding cannot be established will be settled by the arbitration of Russia and Austria-Hungary.
Henceforward, if there is any discussion or conflict, except as regards new territorial demands, Turkey and Montenegro will leave the settlement of their differences to Russia and Austria-Hungary, who will arbitrate in common.
The troops of Montenegro will be bound to evacuate the territory not comprised within the limits indicated above within ten days from the signature of the Preliminaries of Peace.]
Servia.|[Art. III. Servia is recognized as independent. Its frontier, marked on the annexed map, will follow the thalweg of the Drina, leaving Little Zwornik and Zakar to the Principality, and following the old limit as far as the sources of the stream Dezevo, near Stoilac. Thence the new line will follow the course of that stream as far as the River Raska, and then the course of the latter as far as Novi-Bazar.
From Novi-Bazar, ascending the stream which passes near the villages of Mekiuje and Irgoviste as far as its source, the frontier line will run by Bosur Planima, in the valley of the Ibar, and will then descend the stream which falls into this river near the village of Ribanic.
The line will then follow the course of the Rivers Ibar, Sitnitza and Lab, and of the brook Batintze to its source (upon the Grapachnitza Planina). Thence the frontier will follow the heights which separate the waters of the Kriva and the Veternitza, and will meet the latter river by the shortest route at the mouth of the stream Miovatzka, which it will ascend, crossing the Miovatzka Planina and redescending towards the Morava, near the village of Kalimanci.
From this point the frontier will descend the Morava as far as the River Vlossina, near the village of Staikovtzi. Reascending the latter river, as well as the Linberazda, and the brook Koukavitze, the line will pass by the Sukha Planina, will run along the stream Vrylo as far as the Nisawa, and will descend the said river as far as the village of Kronpatz, whence the line will rejoin by the shortest route the old Servian frontier to the south-east of Karaoul Bare, and will not leave it until it reaches the Danube.
Ada-Kale will be evacuated and razed.
A Turco-Servian Commission, assisted by a Russian Commissioner, will, within three months, arrange upon the spot the definite frontier line, and will definitely settle the questions relating to the islands of the Drina. A Bulgarian delegate will be admitted to participate in the work of the Commission when it shall be engaged on the frontier between Servia and Bulgaria.]
[Art. IV. The Mussulmans holding lands in the territories annexed to Servia, and who wish to reside out of the Principality, can preserve their real property by having them farmed out or administered by others. A Turco-Servian Commission, assisted by a Russian Commissioner, will be charged to decide absolutely, in the course of two years, all questions relating to the verification of real estate in which Mussulman interests are concerned.
This Commission will also be called upon to settle within three years the method of alienation of State property and of religious endowments (Vacouf), as well as the questions relative to the interests of private persons which may be involved. Until a direct Treaty is concluded between Turkey and Servia determining the character of the relations between the Sublime Porte and the Principality, Servian subjects travelling or sojourning in the Ottoman Empire shall be treated according to the general principles of international law.
The Servian troops shall be bound to evacuate the territory not comprised within the above-mentioned limits within fifteen days from the signature of the Preliminaries of Peace.]
Roumania.[Art. V. The Sublime Porte recognizes the independence of Roumania, which will establish its right to an indemnity, to be discussed between the two countries. Until the conclusion of a direct Treaty between Turkey and Roumania, Roumanian subjects will enjoy in Turkey all the rights guaranteed to the subjects of other European Powers.]
Bulgaria.[Art. VI. Bulgaria is constituted an autonomous tributary Principality, with a Christian Government and a national militia.
The definitive frontiers of the Bulgarian Principality will be traced by a special Russo-Turkish Commission before the evacuation of Roumelia by the Imperial Russian army. This Commission will, in working out the modifications to be made on the spot in the general tracing, take into account the principle of the nationality of the majority of the inhabitants of the border districts, conformably to the Bases of Peace, and also the topographical necessities and practical interests of the inter-communication of the local population.
The extent of the Bulgarian Principality is laid down in general terms on the accompanying map, which will serve as a basis for the definitive fixing of the limits. Leaving the new frontier of the Servian Principality, the line will follow the western limit of the Caza of Wrania as far as the chain of the Kara-dagh. Turning towards the west, the line will follow the western limits of the Cazas of Koumanovo, Kotchani, Kalkandelen, to Mount Korab ; thence by the River Welestchitza as far as its junction with the black Drina. Turning towards the south by the Drina, and afterwards by the western limit of the Caza of Ochride towards Mount Linas, the frontier will follow the western limits of the Cazas of Gortcha and Starovo as far as Mount Grammes. Then by the Lake of Kastoria, the frontier line will rejoin the River Moglenitza, and after having followed its course, and passed to the south of Yanitza (Wardar Yenidje), will go by the mouth of the Warder and by the Galliko towards the villages of Parga and of Saraikeui; thence through the middle of Lake Bechik-Guel to the mouth of the Rivers Strouma and Karassou, and by the sea-coast as far as Buru-Guel ; thence striking north-west towards Mount Tchaltepe by the chain of Rhodope as far as Mount Krouschowo, by the Black Balkans (Kara-Balkan), by the mountains Eschek-koulatchi, Tchepelion, Karakolas, and Tschiklar, as far as the River Arda.
Thence the line will be traced in the direction of the town of Tchirmen, and leaving the town of Adrianople to the south, by the villages of Sugutlion, Kara-Hamza, Arnaout-keui, Akardji, and Enidje as far as the River Tekederessi. Following the Rivers Tekederessi and Tchorlouderessi as far as Loule-Bourgaz, and thence, by the River Soudjak-dere as far as the village of Serguen, the frontier line will go by the heights straight towards Hakimtabiassi, where it will strike the Black Sea. It will leave the seacoast near Mangalia, following the southern boundaries of the Sandjak of Toultcha, and will come out on the Danube above Rassova.]
[Art. VII. The Prince of Bulgaria shall be freely elected by the population and confinned by the Sublime Porte, with the assent of the Powers. No member of the reigning dynasties of the great European Powers shall be capable of being elected Prince of Bulgaria.
In the event of the dignity of Prince of Bulgaria being vacant, the election of the new Prince shall be made subject to the same conditions and forms.
Before the election of the Prince, an Assembly of Bulgarian Notables, to be convoked at Philippopolis (Plowdiw) or Tyrnowo, shall draw up, under the superintendence of an Imperial Russian Commissioner, and in the presence of an Ottoman Commissioner, the organization of the future administration, in conformity with the precedents established in 1830 after the Peace of Adrianople, in the Danubian Principalities.
In the localities where Bulgarians are mixed with Turks, Greeks, Wallachians (Koutzo-Vlachs), or others, proper account is to be taken of the rights and interests of these populations in the elections and in the preparation of the Organic Laws.
The introduction of the new system into Bulgaria, and the superintendence of its working, will be intrusted for two years to an Imperial Russian Commissioner. At the expiration of the first year after the introduction of the new system, and if an understanding on this subject has been established between Russia, the Sublime Porte, and the Cabinets of Europe, they can, if it is deemed necessary, associate Special Delegates with the Imperial Russian Commissioner.]
[Art. VIII. The Ottoman army will no longer remain in Bulgaria, and all the ancient fortresses will be razed at the expense of the local Government. The Sublime Porte will have the right to dispose, as it sees fit, of the war material and of the other property belonging to the Ottoman Government which may have been left in the Danubian fortresses already evacuated in accordance with the terms of the Armistice of the 19th31st January, as well as of that in the strongholds of Schoumla and Varna.
Until the complete formation of a native militia sufficient to preserve order, security, and tranquillity, and the strength of which will be fixed later on by an understanding between the Ottoman Government and the Imperial Russian Cabinet, Kussian troops will occupy the country, and will give armed assistance to the Commissioner in case of need. This occupation will also be limited to a term approximating to two years.
The strength of the Russian army of occupation to be composed of six divisions of infantry and two of cavalry, which will remain in Bulgaria after the evacuation of Turkey by the Imperial army, shall not exceed 50,000 men. It will be maintained at the expense of the country occupied. The Russian troops of occupation in Bulgaria will maintain their communications with Russia, not only through Roumania, but also by the ports of the Black Sea, Varna, and Bourgas, where they may organize, for the term of the occupation, the necessary depots.]
[Art. IX. The amount of the annual tribute which Bulgaria is to pay the Suzerain Court, by transmitting it to a bank to be hereafter named by the Sublime Porte, will be determined by an agreement between Russia, the Ottoman Government, and the other Cabinets, at the end of the first year during which the new organization shall be in operation. This tribute will be calculated on the average revenue of all the territory which is to form part of the Principality.
Bulgaria will take upon itself the obligations of the Imperial Ottoman Government towards the Rustchuk and Varna Railway Company, after an agreement has been come to between the Sublime Porte, the Government of the Principality, and the Directors of this Company. The regulations as to the other railways (voies ferrées) which cross the Principality are also reserved for an agreement between the Sublime Porte, the Government established in Bulgaria, and the Directors of the Companies concerned.]
[Art. X. The Sublime Porte shall have the right to make use of Bulgaria for the transport by fixed routes of its troops, munitions, and provisions to the provinces beyond the Principality, and vice versâ. In order to avoid difficulties and misunderstandings in the application of this right, while guaranteeing the military necessities of the Sublime Porte, a special regulation will lay down the conditions of it within three months after the ratification of the present Act by an understanding between the Sublime Porte and the Bulgarian Government.
It is fully understood that this right is limited to the regular Ottoman troops, and that the irregulars, the Bashi-Bazouks, and the Circassians will be absolutely excluded from it.
The Sublime Porte also reserves to itself the right of sending its postal service through the Principality, and of maintaining telegraphic communication. These two points shall also be determined in the manner and within the period of time indicated above.]
[Art. XI. The Mussulman proprietors or others who fix their personal residence outside the Principality may retain their estates by having them farmed or administered by others. Turco-Bulgarian Commissions shall sit in the principal centres of population, under the superintendence of Russian Commissioners, to decide absolutely in the course of two years all questions relative to the verification of real property, in which either Mussulmans or others may be interested. Similar commissions will be charged with the duty of regulating within two years all questions relative to the mode of alienation, working, or use for the benefit of the Sublime Porte of the property of the State, and of the religious endowments (Vacouf).
At the expiration of the two years mentioned above all properties which shall not have been claimed shall be sold by public auction, and the proceeds thereof shall be devoted to the support of the widows and orphans, Mussulman as well as Christian, victims of the recent events[2].]
Danube.[Art. XII. All the Danubian fortresses shall be razed. There shall be no strongholds in future on the banks of this river, nor any men-of-war in the waters of the Principalities of Roumania, Servia, and Bulgaria, except the usual 'stationnaires' and the small vessels intended for river-police and Custom-house purposes. The rights, obligations, and prerogatives of the International Commission of the Lower Danube are maintained' intact.]
Art. XIII. The Sublime Porte undertakes to render the passage of Soulina again navigable, and to indemnify the private individuals who have suffered loss by the war and the interruption of the navigation of the Danube, applying for this double charge a sum of five hundred thousand francs from the amount due to the Sublime Porte from the Danubian Commission.
Bosnia and Herzegovina[Art. XIV. The European proposals communicated to the Ottoman Plenipotentiaries at the first sitting of the Constantinople Conference shall immediately be introduced into Bosnia and Herzegovina, with any modifications which may be agreed upon in common between the Sublime Porte, the Government of Russia, and that of Austria-Hungary,
The payment of arrears of taxes shall not be required, and the current revenues of these provinces until the 1st March, 1880, shall be exclusively applied to indemnify the families of refugees and inhabitants, victims of recent events, without distinction of race or creed, as well as to the local needs of the country. The sum to be received annually after this period by the Central Government shall be subsequently fixed by a special understanding between Turkey, Russia, and Austria-Hungary.]
Crete.[Art. XV. The Sublime Porte engages to apply scrupulously in the Island of Crete the Organic Law of 1868, taking into account the previously-expressed wishes of the native population.
Epirus, &c.An analogous law adapted to local requirements shall likewise be introduced into Epirus, Thessaly, and the other parts of Turkey in Europe, for which a special constitution is not provided by the present Act.
Special Commissions, in which the native population will be largely represented, shall in each province be entrusted with the task of elaborating the details of the new organization, and the result of their labours shall be submitted to the Sublime Porte, who will consult the Imperial Government of Russia before carrying it into effect.]
Armenia.[Art. XVI. As the evacuation by the Russian troops of the territory which they occupy in Armenia, and which is to be restored to Turkey, might give rise to conflicts and complications detrimental to the maintenance of good relations between the two countries, the Sublime Porte engages to carry into effect, without further delay, the improvements and reforms demanded by local requirements in the provinces inhabited by Armenians, and to guarantee their security from Kurds and Circassians.]
Amnesty.Art. XVII. A full and complete amnesty is granted by the Sublime Porte to all Ottoman subjects compromised by recent events, and all persons imprisoned on this account or sent into exile shall be immediately set at liberty.
Persian boundry[Art. XVIII. The Sublime Porte will take into serious consideration the opinion expressed by the Commissioners of the Mediating Powers as regards the possession of the town of Khotour, and engages to have the works of the definitive delimitation of the Turco-Persian Boundary carried into effect.]
Indemnity.Art. XIX. The war indemnities and the losses imposed on Russia which His Majesty the Emperor of Russia claims, and which the Sublime Porte has bound itself to reimburse to him, consist of—
{a.) 900,000,000 roubles for war expenses (maintenance of the army, replacing of war material, and war contracts).
(b.) 400,000,000 roubles on account of damage done to the south coast of Russia, to her export commerce, to her industries, and to her railways.
(c.) 100,000,000 roubles for injuries inflicted on the Caucasus by the invasion ; and,
(d.) 10,000,000 roubles for costs and damages of Russian subjects and establishments in Turkey.
Total, 1,410,000,000 roubles.
Territorial Cessions.Taking into consideration the financial embarrassments of Turkey, and in accordance with the wishes of His Majesty the Sultan, the Emperor of Russia consents to substitute for the payment of the greater part of the moneys enumerated in the above paragraph, the following territorial cessions : —
[(a.) The Sandjak of Toultcha, that is to say, the districts (Cazas) of Kilia, Soulina, Mahmoudi, Isaktcha, Toultcha, Matchine, Babadagh, Hirsowo, Kustendje, and Medjidie, as well as the Delta Islands and the Isle of Serpents.
Not wishing, however, to annex this territory and the Delta Islands, Russia reserves the right of exchanging them for the part of Bessarabia detached from her by the Treaty of 1856, and which is bounded on the south by the thalweg of the Kilia branch and the mouth of the Stary-Stamboul.
The question of the apportionment of waters and fisheries shall be determined by a Russo-Roumanian Commission within a year after the ratification of the Treaty of Peace.
(b.) Ardahan, Kars, Batoum, Bayazet, and the territory as far as the Saganlough.
In its general outline, the frontier line, leaving the Black Sea coast, will follow the crest of the mountains which separate the affluents of the River Hopa from those of the River Tcharokh, and the chain of mountains to the south of the town of Artwin up to the River Tcharokh, near the villages of Alat and Bechaget ; then the frontier will pass by the peaks of Mounts Dervenikghek, Hortchezor, and Bedjiguin-Dagh, by the crest which separates the affluents of the Rivers Tortoum-tchai and the Tcharokh by the heights near Zaily-Vihine, coming down at the village Vihine-Kilissa to the River Tortoum-chai ; thence it will follow the Sivridagh Chain to the pass {col) of the same name, passing south of the village of Noriman ; then it will turn to the south-east and go to Zivine, whence the frontier, passing west of the road which leads from Zivine to the villages of Ardost and Horassan, will turn south by the Saganlough Chain to the village of Gilitchman ; then by the crest of the Charian-Dagh it will arrive, ten versts south of Hamour, at the Mourad-tchai defile ; then the line will follow the crest of the Alla-Dagh and the summits of the Hori and Tandourek, and, passing south of the Bayazet Valley, will proceed to rejoin the old Turco-Persian frontier to the south of the lake of Kazli-gueul.]
The definitive limits of the territory annexed to Russia, [and indicated on the map hereto appended,] will be fixed by a Commission composed of Russian and Ottoman delegates. This Commission in its labours will take into account the topography of localities, as well as considerations of good administration and other conditions calculated to insure the tranquillity of the country.
Balance of Indemnity(c.) The territories [mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b)] are ceded to Russia as an equivalent for the sum of one milliard and one hundred million roubles. As for the rest of the indemnity, apart from the 10,000,000 of roubles intended to indemnify Russian interests and establishments in Turkey — namely, 300,000,000 of roubles[3] — the mode of payment and guarantee of that sum shall be settled by an understanding between the Imperial Government of Russia and that of His Majesty the Sultan[4].
(d.) The 10,000,000 roubles claimed as indemnity for the Russian subjects and establishments in Turkey shall be paid as soon as the claims of those interested are examined by the Russian Embassy at Constantinople and handed to the Sublime Porte[5].
Lawsuits.Art. XX. The Sublime Porte will take effective steps to put an amicable end to the lawsuits of Russian subjects pending for several years, to indemnify the latter if need be, and to carry into effect without delay all judgments passed[6].
Ceded districts.Art. XXI. The inhabitants of the districts ceded to Russia who wish to take up their residence out of these territories will be free to retire on selling all their real property. For this purpose an interval of three years is granted them, counting from the date of ratification of the present Act.
On the expiration of that time those of the inhabitants who shall not have sold their real property and left the country shall remain Russian subjects.
Real property belonging to the State, or to religious establishments situated out of the localities aforesaid, shall be sold within the same interval of three years as shall be arranged by a special Russo-Turkish Commission. The same Commission shall be intrusted with determining how the Ottoman Government is to remove its war material, munitions, supplies, and other State property actually in the forts, towns, and localities ceded to Russia, and not at present occupied by Russian troops.
Pilgrims, &c.[Art. XXII. Russian ecclesiastics, pilgrims, and monks travelling or sojourning in Turkey in Europe or in Asia shall enjoy the same rights, advantages, and privileges as the foreign ecclesiastics of any other nationality.
The right of official protection by the Imperial Embassy and Russian Consulates in Turkey is recognized, both as regards the persons above-mentioned, and their possessions, religious houses, charitable institutions, &c., in the Holy Places and elsewhere.
The monks of Mount Athos, of Russian origin, shall be maintained in all their possessions and former privileges, and shall continue to enjoy in the three convents belonging to them and in the adjoining buildings the same rights and privileges as are assured to the other religious establishments and convents of Mount Athos.]
Renewal of Treaties.Art. XXIII. All the Treaties, Conventions, and agreements previously concluded between the two High Contracting Parties relative to commerce, jurisdiction, and the position of Russian subjects in Turkey, and which had been abrogated by the state of war, shall come into force again, with the exception of the clauses affected by the present Act. The two Governments will be placed again in the same relation to one another, with respect to all their engagements and commercial and other relations, as they were in before the declaration of war[7].
The Straits.Art. XXIV. The Bosphorus and the Dardanelles shall remain open in time of war as in 'time of peace to the merchant-vessels of neutral States arriving from or bound to Russian ports. The Sublime Porte consequently engages never henceforth to establish at the ports of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azow, a fictitious blockade (blocus fictif), at variance with the spirit of the Declaration signed at Paris on the th April, 1856.
Evacuation.[Art. XXV. The complete evacuation of Turkey in Europe, with the exception of Bulgaria, by the Russian army will take place within three months after the conclusion of the definitive peace between His Majesty the Emperor of Russia and His Majesty the Sultan. In order to save time, and to avoid the cost of the prolonged maintenance of the Russian troops in Turkey and Roumania, part of the Imperial army may proceed to the ports of the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmora, to be there shipped in vessels belonging to the Russian Government or chartered for the occasion.] The evacuation of Turkey in Asia will be effected within the space of six months, dating from the conclusion of the definitive peace, and the Russian troops will be entitled to take ship at Trebizond in order to return by the Caucasus or the Crimea.
The operations of the evacuation will begin immediately after the exchange of ratifications.
Interim Jurisdiction.Art. XXVI. As long as the Imperial Russian troops remain in the localities which, in conformity with the present Act, will be restored to the Sublime Porte, the administration and order of affairs will continue in the same state as has existed since the occupation. The Sublime Porte will not participate therein during all that time, nor until the entire departure of all the troops.
The Ottoman forces shall not enter the places to be restored to the Sublime Porte, and the Sublime Porte cannot begin to exercise its authority there until notice of each fortress and province having been evacuated by the Russian troops shall have been given by the Commander of these troops to the officer appointed for this purpose by the Sublime Porte.
Amnesty.Art. XXVII. The Sublime Porte undertakes not to punish in any manner, or allow to be punished, those Ottoman subjects who may have been compromised by their relations with the Russian army during the war. In the event of any persons wishing to withdraw with their families when the Russian troops leave, the Ottoman authorities shall not oppose their departure[8].
Prisoners.Art. XXVIII. Immediately upon the ratification of the Preliminaries of Peace, the prisoners of war shall be reciprocally restored under the care of special Commissioners appointed on both sides, who for this purpose shall go to Odessa and Sebastopol. The Ottoman Government will pay all the expenses of the maintenance of the prisoners that are returned to them, in eighteen equal instalments in the space of six years, in accordance with the accounts that will be drawn up by the above-mentioned Commissioners[9].
The exchange of prisoners between the Ottoman Government and the Governments of Roumania, Servia, and Montenegro will be made on the same basis, deducting, however, in the account, the number of prisoners restored by the Ottoman Government from the number of prisoners that will have to be restored to that Government.
Ratifications.Art. XXIX. The present Act shall be ratified by their Imperial Majesties the Emperor of Russia and the Emperor of the Ottomans, and the ratifications shall be exchanged in fifteen days, or sooner if possible, at St. Petersburgh, where likewise an agreement shall be come to as to the place and the time at which the stipulations of the present Act shall be invested with all the solemn forms usually observed in Treaties of Peace. It is, however, well understood that the High Contracting Parties consider themselves as formally bound by the present Act from the moment of its ratification.
In witness whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have appended their signatures and seals to the present Act.
Done at San Stefano, the nineteenth Februarythird March, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.
|
Cte. N. IGNATIEW. |
SAFVET. SADOULLAH. |
[Final paragraph of Article XI of the Act of the Preliminaries of Peace signed this day, February 19March 3, 1878, which was omitted, and which should form an integral part of the said Article:—
The inhabitants of the Principality of Bulgaria when travelling or sojourning in the other parts of the Ottoman Empire shall be subject to the Ottoman laws and authorities.]
[The same signatures.]
San Stefano, February 19March 3, 1878.
(2)
The Definitive Treaty of Peace between Russia and the Porte, signed at Constantinople, on 8th February, 1879[10].
Au nom de Dieu tout-puissant.
S. M. L'Empereur de toutes les Russies et S. M. l'Empereur des Ottomans, désirant consacrer le rétablissement de la paix entre les deux Empires, et régler définitivement, par un traité, les clauses du traité préliminaire de San Stefano qui doivent faire l'objet d'une entente directe entre les deux États, ont nommé pour leurs plénipotentiaires: S. M. l'Empereur de toutes les Russies, d'une part, le Prince Alexis Lobanow-Rostovsky, &c.; et S. M. l'Empereur des Ottomans, de l'autre, Al. Carathéodory Pacha, &c., et Ali Pacha, &c.; Lesquels, après avoir échangé leurs pleins-pouvoirs, &c., sont tombés d'accord sur les articles suivants:
Art. I. Il y aura désormais paix et amitié entre les deux Empires.
Art. II. Les deux Puissances sont d'accord pour déclarer que les stipulations du Traité de Berlin, intervenu entre les sept Puissances, ont remplacé les articles des préliminaires de paix de San Stéfano, qui ont été abrogés ou modifiés par le Congrès.
Art. III. Les stipulations du Traité de San Stéfano qui n'ont pas été abrogées ou modifiées par le Traité de Berlin sont réglées définitivement par les articles suivants du présent Traité
Art. IV. Défalcation faite de la valeur des territoires cédés par la Turquie à la Russie en conformité du Traité de Berlin, l'indemnité de guerre reste fixée à la somme de huit cent deux millions cinq cent mille francs. Le mode de paiement de cette somme et la garantie à y affecter, sauf les déclarations contenues dans le Protocols 11 du Congrès de Berlin, relativement à la question territorial et aux droits des créanciers, seront réglées par une entente entre le Gouvernement de Sa Majesté l'Empereur de toutes les Russies, et celui de Sa Majesté l'Empereur des Ottomans.
Art. V. Les réclamations des sujets et institutions Russes en Turquie, à titre d'indemnité pour les dommages subis pendant la guerre, seront payées à mesure qu'elles seront examinées par l'ambassade de Russie à Constantinople, et transmises à la Sublime Porte. La totalité de ces réclamations ne pourra en aucun cas dépasser le chiffre de vingt-six millions sept cent cinquante mille francs. Le terme d'une année après l'échange des ratifications est fixé comme date à partir de laquelle les réclamations pourront être présentées à la Sublime Porte, et celui de deux ans comme date après laquelle les réclamations ne seront plus admises.
Art. VI. Des commissaires spéciaux seront nommés par le Gouvernement Impérial de Russie, et la Sublime Porte afin d'etablir les comptes des frais résultant de l'entretien des prisonniers de guerre Ottomans. Ces comptes seront arrêtés à la date de la signature du Traité de Berlin. On déduira les frais effectués par le Gouvernement Ottoman pour l'entretien des prisonniers Russes, et la somme qui en résultera, une fois établie, sera payée par la Sublime Porte en vingt-et-un termes égaux, dans l'espace de sept années.
Art. VII. Les habitants des localités cédées à la Russie qui voudraient fixer leur résidence hors de ces territoires seront libres de se retirer, en vendant leurs propriétés immobilières. Un dé1ai de trois ans leur sera accordé à cet effet à partir de la ratification du présent acte. Passé ce délai, les habitants qui n'auraient pas quitté le pays et vendu leurs immeubles resteront sujets Russes.
Art. VIII. Les deux parties prennent mutuellement l'engagement de ne sévir ni de laisser sévir d'aucune manière contre les sujets Russes ou Ottomans qui auraient été compromis par leurs relations avec les armées des deux Empires pendant la guerre. Dans le cas où quelques personnes voudraient se retirer avec leurs families à la suite des troupes Russes, les autorités Ottomanes ne s'opposeront pas à leur départ.
Art. IX. Una amnistie pleine et entière est assurée à tous les sujets Ottomans compromis dans les derniers évènements des provinces de la Turquie d'Europe, et toutes les personnes détenues de ce fait, envoyées en exil, ou éloignées de leur pays, retourneront immédiatement en jouissance de leur liberté.
Art. X. Tous les traités convenus et engagements conclus entre les deux hautes parties contractantes relativement au commerce, à la juridiction et à la position des sujets Russes en Turquie et qui avaient été supprimés par l'état de guerre, seront remis en vigueur, et les deux gouvernements seront replacés l'un vis à l'autre pour leurs engagements et rapports commerciaux et autres dans la même situation où ils se trouvaient avant la déclaration de la guerre, le tout sauf les clauses auxquelles il serait dérogé par le présent article ou en vertu du Traité de Berlin.
Art. XI. La Sublime Porte prendra des mesures efficaces pour terminer à l'amiable toutes les affaires litigieuses des sujets Russes pendantes depuis plusieurs années, dédommager ces derniers s'il y a lieu, et faire exécuter sans délai les sentences rendues.
Art. XII. Le présent acte sera ratifié et les ratifications en seront échangées à St. Pétersbourg, dans l'espace de deux semaines ou plus tôt si faire se pent. En foi de quoi, &c.
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LOBANOW. |
AL. CARATHÉODORY. |
ALI. |
Fait à Constantinople le 27 Janvier (8 Février), 1879.
(3)
Convention respecting the War Indemnity between Russia and the Porte, signed at Constantinople 14th May, 1882[11].
S. M. l'Empereur de toutes les Russies et S. M. I'Empereur des Ottomans, désirant, en exécution de l'article IV du traité signé entre la Russie et la Turquie le 27 Janvier (8 fevrier) 1879, régler définitivement, par une convention, le mode de paiement de l'indemnité de guerre russe et la garantie à y affecter, ont nommé pour leurs plenipotentiaires:
S. M. l'Empereur de toutes les Russies d'une part, le sieur Eugène Novicow, &c., et le sieur Théodore de Thœrner, &c.et S. M. l'Empereur des Ottomans de l'autre, Mehmed-Assim-Pacha, &c., et Mahmoud-Server-Pacha, &c.
lesquels, après s'être communiqué leurs pouvoirs, sont tombés d'accord sur les articles suivants:
Art. I. La somme de huit cent deux millions cinq cent mille francs, qui aux termes de l'article IV dudit traité constitue le montant de l'indemnité de guerre russe, sera payée par le gouvernement ottoman au moyen de versements annuels de trois cent cinquante mille livres turques. Il est convenu que cette somme de 350,000 livres turques sera affectée en entier à l'amortissement du capital de l'indemnité de guerre. Accédant au désir du gouvernement ottoman, le gouvernement russe consent à ne pas réclamer en même temps d'intérêt sur ledit capital.
Art. II. Le gouvernement ottoman déclare que l'annuité stipulée de 350,000 livres turques sera prélevée spécialement sur la dîme et la taxe des moutons.
Art. III. Les dîmes et la taxe des moutons affectées au paiement de l'indemnité de guerre, devront être assignées sur les vilayets et moutessarifliks dans lesquels la Banque impériale ottomane possède des succursales ou des agents.
Art. IV. Les sommes ainsi assignées au paiement de l'indemnité de guerre dans chaque vilayet ou moutessariflik devront être 25 0/0 inférieures à la totalité du rendement desdites taxes dans lesdites localités.
Art. V. La totalité du rendement net desdites taxes dans les vilayets et moutessarifliks en question, c'est-à-dire la somme qui restera après déduction des frais de perception des taxes mêmes, sera versée directement et en entier par l'autorité locale chargée de cette perception dans lesdits vilayets et moutessarifliks, aux caisses de la Banque impériale ottomane, ou à l'agent de ladite Banque, en vertu d'un ordre spécial et permanent sanctionné par iradé impérial.
Cependant, si les revenus des taxes des moutons et des dîmes, affectés à l'indemnité de guerre, venaient à fournir un excédant supérieur au 25 0/0 accordé, dans ce cas la Banque impériale ottomane sera tenue d'abandonner au ministère des finances des cazas, dont le revenu des taxes des moutons et des dîmes doit égaler l'excédant eventuel susindiqué.
Par contre, si ces mêmes revenus subissaient une diminution assez forte pour que l'excédant de 25 0/0 ne puisse pas être réalisé, alors le ministre des finances ottomans s'engage à assigner à la Banque impériale ottomane de nouveaux cazas dont les revenus des taxes des dîmes et des moutons suffisent pour parfaire le déficit en question.
Art. VI. La Banque impériale ottomane sera tenue de faire, avec la Banque impériale de Russie, un arrangement spécial pour les opérations de la Banque ottomane à Constantinople, concernant le paiement de l'indemnité de guerre.
Art. VII. La direction de la Banque impériale ottomane sera obligée, dès la signature de la convention, à retenir tout d'abord, au fur et à mesure des rentrées des taxes des moutons et des dîmes, la somme assignée pour l'indemnité de guerre russe et tiendra immédiatement à la disposition de l'administration locale tout surplus de chaque vilayet, après que la part qui en revient au paiement de l'indemnité de guerre aura été prélevée et mise de côté pour le compte de la Banque impériale de Russie.
Art. VIII. Le gouvernement impérial ottoman s'engage à interdire à son ministère des finances, ainsi qu'à l'administration du vilayet ou du moutessariflik, d'émettre des havalés, chèques et autres ordres de paiement sur les taxes des moutons et sur les dîmes ainsi assignées dans les localités indiquées.
Art. IX. Par suite de l'arrangement intervenu, la partie de la taxe des moutons et des dîmes assignée au paiement de l'indemnité russe ne figurera au budget ottoman qu'à titre d'entrée et sortie (irad masraf).
Art. X. En conséquence des articles III. et IV. de la présente convention, il sera assigné au paiement des annuités stipulées les revenus sous-indiqués des vilayets d'Alep, de Konieh, de Castamouni, d'Adana et de Sivas,—revenus dont les frais de perception ont déjà été déduits:
Revenues nets:
| Taxe des moutons liv. turq. |
Dîmes liv. turq. |
Total liv. turq. | ||
| Alep | 40,000 | 40,000 | ||
| Konieh | 138,000 | 138,000 | ||
| Castamouni | 110,000 | 110,000 | ||
| Adana | 70,000 | 70,000 | ||
| Sivas: | ||||
| sandjak de Sivas | 55,000 | 79,500 | 79,500 | |
| sandjak de Tokad | 20,000 | |||
| sandjak de Kara hissar-Charki | 4,500 | |||
| caza de Karahissar | 4,500 | |||
| caza de Sou-Chehri | ||||
| 40,000 | 397,500 | 437,500 | ||
(Quatre cent trente-sept mille cinq cents l. t.)
Art. XI. Le gouvernement impérial ottoman conserve le droit de substituer, en cas de necessité, aux localités désignées, d'autres localités, après une entente préalable avec la Banque impériale ottomane sur les sécurités de rentrée qui doivent être les mêmes. Avis officiel en sera immédiatement donné au gouvernement impérial de Russie.
Art. XII. Le présent acte sera ratifié et les ratifications en seront échangées à St.-Pétersbourg, dans l'espace de deux semaines ou plus tôt, si faire se peut.
En foi de quoi les plénipotentiaires de Russie et de Turquie y ont apposé leurs signatures et le sceau de leurs armes.
Fait à Constantinople, le 2 (14) mai 1882.
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NOVICOW. |
M. ASSIM. |
⁂Note.—Turkey having in July 1876 wholly suspended payment of the interest on her debt, the Plenipotentiaries of Austria, Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, and Russia at the Congress of Berlin agreed to the following declaration, which was accordingly inserted in the i8th Protocol of the Congress:—
'The Powers represented at the Congress desire to recommend to the Sublime Porte the establishment of a Financial Commission, composed of specialists named by their respective governments, which Commission shall be charged to examine into the complaints of the bondholders of the Ottoman debt, and to propose the most efficacious means for satisfying them as far as is compatible with the financial situation of the Porte.'
In order to avoid the interference of such a Commission, the Porte in October, 1880, invited a meeting of representatives of the foreign bondholders, and announced to the Powers its intention of including in one arrangement the settlement of the foreign debt, the floating debt, and the war indemnity due to Russia. These questions were, however, ultimately kept separate, and an agreement was made with the bondholders on 18th November, confirmed by an Iradé dated 20th December, 1881[12].
Under this arrangement the foreign debt is reduced to £106,437,234, secured upon the excise and other revenues, subject to a first charge in favour of the Galata Bankers, whose loans are consolidated into a Privileged debt of £8,170,000, and the receipt of the assigned revenues is entrusted to an Administrative Council of Bondholders. The arrangement has, it seems, worked well; and the expenditure of the Empire has recently, though only by non-payment of salaries, been kept within its income.
- ↑ Parl. Papers, 1878, Turkey, No. 22; N. R. G. 2me Série, iii, 246. The Clauses within brackets have been superseded by the Treaty of Berlin.
- ↑ See the 'final paragraph,' p. 348, infra.
- ↑ Cf. the definitive Treaty of Peace of 8th February, 1879, infra, p. 348.
- ↑ This was done by the Convention of 14th May, 1882, q. v. infra, p. 350.
- ↑ Cf. ibid. The sum is not to exceed 27,750,000 francs.
- ↑ Cf. Art. 9 of the definitive Treaty of Peace.
- ↑ Cf . Art. 10 of the definitive Treaty of Peace.
- ↑ Cf. Arts. 8 and 9 of the definitive Treaty of Peace.
- ↑ Cf. Art. 6 of the definitive Treaty of Peace.
- ↑ N. R. G. 2me Série, iii, 468.
- ↑ N. R. G. 2me Série, viii, 218. The Convention was ratified on 30th June, 1882. It had been agreed in Prot. 11 of the Congress of Berlin that the payment of the indemnity should not prejudice the prior creditors of the Porte.
- ↑ Parl. Papers, 1882, Turkey, No. 2, p. 73.