Powers.

Prince Bismarck suggested, however, that perhaps an armistice of six weeks might offer some chance of a solution.

In this state of things, as it was evident that any efforts to bring about the acceptance of the Turkish proposal of a six months' armistice by Servia and Montenegro were checked by the attitude of Russia, Her Majesty's Government felt that further efforts on their part were useless. I therefore informed the Russian Ambassador that, having accepted the Turkish proposal for a six months' armistice, Her Majesty's Government were not prepared to withdraw their acceptance or to make any new proposition. I stated, however, that Her Majesty's Government would offer no objection to a shorter term if the Porte were willing to consent to it, but that they would not press the Porte to do so.

I have since learnt from Sir Henry Elliot that the Porte has informed the Russian Government that they agree to an armistice of six weeks, on condition that if the negotiations are not ended by that time, it should be renewed for a similar term, and again for two months if the second period passed without result.

In the foregoing summary of the negotiations I have indicated the successive steps which Her Majesty's Government have taken to secure an agreement among the Powers. Upon the application of Servia for their good offices, they first obtained the support of all the Powers to a proposal to the Porte of an armistice of not less than a month, and on the Porte advancing terms of peace as a counter-proposal, Her Majesty's Government submitted to Russia in the first instance, and then to the other Powers, provisions which might, in their opinion, form the basis of pacification, and which likewise secured the concurrence of the Powers.

When subsequently difficulty occurred in obtaining the acceptance of these provisions by the Porte, Her Majesty's Government, again in concert with Russia, recommended that the proposal of an armistice should be reverted to, and pressed it upon the Porte in the strongest manner of which diplomatic action will admit, at the same time suggesting a Conference-a suggestion which, from what had previously passed, Her Majesty's Government had reason to suppose would also prove acceptable to the Russian Government. If obstacles have been interposed which have frustrated the intentions of Her Majesty's Government, they have not been occasioned by any failure on their part to meet objections in a conciliatory spirit. The object which has been sought throughout has been to arrive at a speedy and durable pacification.

Her Majesty's Government have felt that the continuance of the present war, which was commenced in defiance of the public remonstrances of Russia and the Powers, is all the more lamentable from being unnecessary, since there are no avowed ends to be attained by it which could not be better and more surely arrived at by peaceable discussion. It has long been evident that, so far as the improvement of the condition of the disturbed districts of Turkey and of the nonMussulman population generally throughout the Empire is concerned, the unaided action of Servia and Montenegro could have no practical effect, and that from the time when the question passed into the hands of the mediating Powers further bloodshed served only to add to the distress and misery of the population.

Her Majesty's Government have done all that has been in their power to procure the cessation of hostilities and the reestablishment of peace, for which Servia and Montenegro appealed to their good offices. They believed that this would

be accomplished by a prolonged Armistice, and supported that proposal accordingly, feeling convinced that such an Armistice meant peace ; nor could they regard the period as unreasonable, inasmuch as the discussions which took place in 1861 with regard to the constitution of the Lebanon occupied from the 22nd of January to the 9th of June. They regret that other counsels have prevailed, and that the uncertainty of the situation has thus been continued, with the commercial and agricultural distress which must ensue from it in Servia and Montenegro and the adjacent districts. They are unable to see how the constantly impending possibility of war can be otherwise than ruinous to all the countries concerned, and would hail with satisfaction any proposal which might bring such a state of things to an end.

They cannot, however, consider that it lies with them to advance any fresh propositions; and, while most anxious to co-operate with the other Powers in any measures of pacification in which the Powers may concur, must refrain from pledging themselves to anything which may impede their liberty of action hereafter should the rights and interests of this country be affected.

Your Excellency will read this despatch to Prince Gortchakoff, and give his Excellency a copy of it, stating at the same time that Her Majesty's Government feel assured that he will find in it a convincing proof of the earnest desire which they have shown to act in concert with the Russian Government, and to maintain in all respects the good relations subsisting between Great Britain and Russia.

I am, etc.,

(Signed) DERBY.