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which the Jews throughout the Austrian empire were released in 1848 . Great indignation exists among the chief of the Jewish community j and threats are made of withdrawing their financial support to the tottering exchequer in the hour of need . But it is difficult to believe that Moses will outweigh Mammon , or that the children of Israel will be diverted from their operations by any sense of insult or injury to their faith .
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The subjoined manifesto of the Porte was published on the 4 th inst ., the first day of the Mahommedan year , and read on the 7 th inst . in all the mosques : —
MANIFESTO OF THE SUBLIME PORTE . " In the present state of circumstances it would be superfluous to take up from its very commencement the explanation of the difference which has arisen between the Sublime Porte and Russia , to enter anew into the detail of the diverse phases which this difference has gone through , or to reproduce the opinions and judgments of the Government of his Majesty the Sultan , which have been made public by the official documents promulgated from time to time . "In spite of the desire not to restate the urgent reasons which determined the modifications introduced by the
Sublime Porte into the draft of the Note prepared at Vienna ( motives exposed previously in a Note explanatory of the modifications ) , yet new solicitations having been made for the adoption , pure and simple , of the said Note , in consequence of the non-adhesion of Russia to these same modifications , the Ottoman government finding itself at present compelled and forced to undertake war , thinks it a duty to give an exposition of the imperious reasons for that important determination , as well as for those which have obliged it not to regulate this time its conduct according to the counsels of the Great Powers , its allies , although it has never ceased to appreciate the benevolent nature of their suggestions .
" The principal points to which the Government of his Majesty the Sultan desires to give prominence are these : — ' That from the very beginning his conduct has furnished no motive of quarrel , and that , animated with the desire of preserving peace , he has acted with a remarkable spirit of moderation and conciliation , from the commencement of the difference up to the present time . ' It is easy to prove these facts to all who do not wander from the path of justice and equity . "Even supposing that Russia had a subject of complaint in relation to the Holy Places , she ought to have circumscribed her actions and solicitations within the limits of
this question alone , and ought not to have raised pretensions which the object-of her complaints could not sustain . She ought not , moreover , to have taken measures of intimidation , such as sending her troops to the frontiers , and making naval preparations at Sebastopol , on the subject of a question which might have been settled amicably between the two Powers . But it is evident that what has taken place is totally contrary to an intention of amicable settlement . " The question of the Holy Places had been settled to the satisfaction of nil parties ; and the Government of his Majesty the Sultan had testified favourable dispositions on the subject of the guarantees demanded . In short , Russia had no longer any ground for raising any protest .
"Is it . not seeking a pretext for quarrel then , to insist , as Russia has done , upon the question of the privileges oi the Greek Church granted by the Ottoman Government , privileges which the Government believes its honour , its dignity , and its sovereign power aro concerned in maintaining , and on the subject of which it can noither admit the interference nor the surveillance of any Government ? Is it not Russia which has occupied with considerable forces the- principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia , declaring at the same time that these provinces should servo as a guarantee , until sho had obtained what she desired ? Has not this act been considered justly by the Sublime Porto as a
violation of treaties , and consequently an a castes belli ? Have the other Powers themselves been able to como to any other decision ? Who , then , will doubt that Russia has been the aggressor P Could the Sublirao Porte , which has always observed all hor treaties with'a fidelity known to all , by infringing them in any way do moro than determine Russia to a proceeding-so violent as that of horsolf infringing all thoHC treaties P Again , has thoro arisen , contrary to the promise explicitly given in the treaty of Kainarilji , mich facts in the Ottoman empire as the demolition of Christian churches , or obstacles opposed to tho exorcise of tho Christian religion ?
" The Ottoman Cabinet , without desiring to enter into too long details on those points , doubts not that tho hi gh Powers , its allies , will judge with perfect truth and justice on the statement just exhibited . "As to tho non-adoption of tho Vioiina Note in its pure and simple form by tho Subfirno Porte , it is to bo remarked thai , this project , although not in every point conformed to the Note of Prince Monchikofl ; and whilo containing , it is Inie , in its composition , some of the paragraphs of tho draught Noto of tho Sublime Porto , is not , as a whole , who-< her in letter or spirit , esHontially different from that of ¦ I rinee Mcncliilfoff .
I he UNMumnces recently given by the representatives of | ho ( h-eat Powers respecting the apprehended danger from hurtful interpretations of tho draught , Note in question , are a new proof of the liind intentions of their respective government towards the Sublime Porte . They have < - < m . wquently produced a lively Naf , is faction on the part of the Uovevniixmt of his Majority tlio Sultan . It must , be ron » ark (!( l , howwer , that whilo wo have still before our eyes a Htnfe ofrulimous privileges wuho < 1 by Russia , which seeks Jo base i t * claims on a paragraph ho ( dear and ho precise in ho treat y of Ivainardji ; which wishes to insert in a diploma tic document , tho paragraph concerning the active soiiciuido of | , l , Emperor of Russia Cor tho maintenance in tho Htates of Uie Sublime Porte oi' religious immunities and Privileges which were granted ( otttroyfa ) to tho Greek rito l » y the Ottoman Emperors before Russia so much as existed n » an empiVC ) (; O i ( ,, j n ft , lark and doubtful state tho nbHonco of aU rolation botwoon theso privileges and tho
' treaty-of Kutschuk Kainardji , to employ in favour of a great community Of subjects of the Sublime Porte professing the Greek religion expressions which mig ht make allusion to treaties concluded with France and Austria relative to the French and Latin religions—this would be to incur the risk of placing in the hands of Russia vague and obscure paragraphs , some of which are contrary to the reality of facts , and would offer to Russia a solid pretext for her pretensions to a religious surveillance and protectorate—pretensions which that Power would attempt to produce , affirming that they are not derogatory to the sovereignty and independence of the Sublime Porte . "The very languag-e of the employes and agents of Russia , who have declared that the intention of the Government was no other than to fulfil the office of an advocate
with the Sublime Porte whenever acts contrary to existing privileges might be done , is a patent proof of the justice of the opinion of the Ottoman Government . "If the Government of his Majesty the Sultan has judged it necessary to require that assurances should be given , even if the modifications which it introduced by it into the Vienna Note were adopted , how in conscience could it be tranquil if the Note were to be retained in its integrity and without modification P The Sublime Porte , in accepting that which it has declared to all the world it could not admit without being compelled thereto , would compromise
its dignity in view of the other Powers , would sacrifice its honour in the eyes of its own subjects , and would commit a mental and moral suicide . " Although the refusal of Russia to accord the modifications required by the Sublime Porte has been based on a question of honour , it-cannot be denied that the ground of that refusal was simply and solely its desire not to allow explicit terms to replace vague expressions , which might at some future time furnish it with a pretext for intermeddling . Such conduct , therefore , compels the Sublime Porte to persist on its its part in withholding its adhesion .
"The reasons which have determined the Ottoman Government to make its modifications having been appreciated by the representatives of the Four Powers , it is proved that the Sublime Porte was right in not purely and simply adopting the Vienna Note . It is not with the view of criticising a project which obtained the assent of the Great Powers , that we enter upon a discussion of the inconveniences which the Vienna Note presents . Their efforts have always tended to the preservation of peace , while defending the rights and independence of the Imperial Government . The endeavours made to attain these
objects having been as laudable as can be conceived , the Sublime Porte cannot sufficiently acknowledge them . But , as evidently each Government must possess , m consequence of its peculiar knowledge and its local experience , more facilities than any other Government for judging of the points which concern its own rights , the examination which the Ottoman Government makes is prompted entirely by its desire to justify the obligatory situation in which , to its great regret , it finds itself placed , desiring , as it has done , to continue following the benevolent counsels offered to it by its allies ever since the commencement of tho differences , aa \ d which until now it has followed .
" If it is alleged that the haste with which the Vienna Note was drawn up results from , the backwardness of the Sublime Porte to propose an arrangement , the Government of his Majesty the Sultan must justify itself by stating the following facts : — " Before the entrance of the Russian troops into the two Principalities , some of the representatives of tho Powers , actuated by the sincere intention of prevent ing the occupation of those provinces , urged upon the Sublime Porte the necessity of framing a draft Note occupying a middle placo between the draft Note of the Sublime Porto and that of Princo Menchikofl" . More lately tho representatives of tho Powers confidently communicated different schemes of arrangement to the Sublime Porte . None of these latter
responded to the views of the Imperial Government ; and the Ottoman Cabinet was on the |) oint of entering into negotiations with the representatives of the Powers on the basis of « project drawn up by itself in conformity with theso suggestions . It was at this moment that news of tho passage of the Pruth by tho Russians arrived , a fiuit which changed tho faco of the whole question . Tho draught JJToto proposed by the Sublime Porte was then Hot aside , and tho Cabinets wore requested to express their views of this violation of treaties after tho protest of tho Sublimo Porte . On the ono hand , the Ottoman Cabinet had to wait , for their replies , and on tho other it drew up , at the suggestion of the representatives of tho Powers , a project of arrangement ^ which was sent to Vienna .
" Ah tho solo answer to all these active steps , tho draft of our Note prepared ( elabort ) at Vienna made its
appearance . " However that may be , tho Ottoman Government ; fearing rightly ovorything which mi g ht imply a right of interference in favour of Russia in roligiouft matters , could do no moro than give assurances calculated to dissipate tho doubts which had beeomo the subject of dineuHsion ; and it will not , after no many propagations and sacrifices , accept propositions which could not , bo received at tho time of tlio stay of Prince Monc ' hikoff at Conntantinoplo . Since tho Cabinet of St . Petersburg has not been content with tho assurances and pledges that , have boon offered , since tho benevolent effort *) of tho 1 litrli Powers have remained fruitless , since , in line ,
tlio Sublimo Porto cannot tolerate or suffer any longer tlio actual stato of things , or tho prolongation of the occupation of tho Moldo-Wallachian Principalities , they being integral portions of" its empire—tho Ottoman Cabinet , with tho linn and praiwworthy intention of defending the snored vigMn of sovereignty and tho independence oi its Government , will employ just reprisals against a violation of tho treaties which it eonnidors iw a v . asm helli . It notifies , then , officially , thai ; 1 , 1 io Government of iiis Majesty tho Sultan finds itself obliged to declare war , thai ; it has given most precino instructioiiH ( Im instructions losplus catSqoriqne . i ) to bin Excellency Omor Pacha to demand from Prince Gortnohakoff tho evacuation of tho Principalities , and to commenco hostilities , if niter ft delay of fifteen , days from tho arrival of
his despatch at the Russian head quarters an answer in the negative should be returned . "It is distinctl y understood that should the reply of Prince Gortschakoffbe negative , the Russian agents are to quit the Ottoman States ; -and that the commercial reia-^ f ™ , respective subjects of the two governments shall be broken off . j ' , "At the same time , the Sublkne Porte will not consider it just to lay an embargo upon Russian merchant vessels , as has been the practice . Consequently , they will be warned to resort either to the Black Sea or to the Mediterranean Sea , as they shall think fit , within a term that shall hereafter be fixed . Moreover , the Ottoman Government being unwilling' to place hindrances in the way of commercial intercourse between the subjects of friendly powers , will , during the war , leave the straits open to their mercantile marine . "
The Trieste Gazette notices a difference which distinguishes the present Turkish declaration of war from those which have preceded it . Formerly every act of this kind was preceded by a fetvah by the Sheik ul Islam , as chief of the Mahommedan religion , and which declared the war to be commanded by the church . This time , out of regard for the Christians , the custom has been broken ; and the declaration of war is exclusively a political act . The fetvah given merely states that the projected war was not contrary to religion .
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Omar Pasha ' s summons to Prince Gortschakoff to evacuate the Principalities , sent by a son of Reschid Pasha , was as follows : — - " Monsieur le General ,- —It is by the order of my Government that I have the honour to address this letter to your Excellency . " While the Sublime Porte has exhausted all means of conciliation to maintain at once peace and its own independence , the Court of Russia has not ceased to raise difficulties in the way of any such settlement , and has ended with the violation of treaties—invading the two Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia , integral parts of the Ottoman empire . ^
" True to its pacific system , the Porte , instead of exercising its right to make reprisals , confined itself even then to protesting , and did not deviate fram the way that might lead to an arrangement . " Russia , on the contrary , far from evincing corresponding sentiments , has ended byrejeefcirag- the proposals recommended by the august mediating Courts—proposals which were alike necessary to the honour and to the security of the Porte .
" There only remains for tho latter the indispensable necessity of war . But as the invasion of the Principalities , and the violation of treaties which have attended it , are the veritable causes of war , the Sublime Porte , as a last expression of its pacific sentiments , proposes to your Excellency , by my intervention , the evacuation of the two provinces , and grants for your decision a term of fifteen days , to date from the receipt of this letter . If within this interval a negative answer shall reach me from your Excellency , tho commencement of hostilities will be tho natural
consequence . " While I have the honour to make this intimation to your Excellency , I embrace the opportunity to offer the assurances of my high esteem . " The reply of Prince Gortschakoff is said to have been in these words : — "My master is not at war with Turkey , but I have orders not , to leave the Principalities until tho Porto shall have given to the Emperor the moral satisfaction he demands . When this point has been obtained , I will evacuato tho Principalities immediately , whatever tho time or the season . If 1 am attacked by the Turkish army , I will confine myself to tho defensive . "
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The latest accounts from Constantinople , of the 10 th inst ., by the Vienna telegraph , state that the Sultan had made a formal demand to tho Ambassador of England and Franco , to summon the allied fleets to tho Bosphorus . Tho Ambassadors had accordingly done so . It is said in a despatch from Bucharest of tho 6 th , that Prince GortselmkofFs inspection being terminated , " the camps had been broken up , and Russian troops were moving in masses on the Danube to tho number of 35 , 000 men , with 251 guns . " This does not tally with the special information which Mr . IJrquhart has communicated to the Times , to the effect that Rescind Pasha had declined the " amicable" offers of assistance , made to tho Porto by tho British Ambassador , and that tho French squadron was to -winter at Vourlallay and tlio British squadron at Mitylene . Tho other details furnished by Mr . ( Jrquhart may , however , bo moro authentic ; . His correspondent writes that , —
100 field-pieces wore about to be dmpatehed by noa to Varna . Tho principal personages have contributed their carriage-horses for the service . On tho 5 th , the steamboats reached Constantinople with tho advanced guard of the army of Mesopotamia , having boon despatched ton days before to tlio count of Syria to fetch them up . The Seherill" of Mecca bus sent to inform tho Sultan that there aro 100 , 000 Arabs at his disposal , who will servo without , pay , and jinIc only to bo furnished with provisions .
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The Grook 'Patriarch at Constantinople ( it must not bo forgotten that the Huriso-dlreek OhurHi is wrested . from tlio Patriarchate ) lately died with mysterious suddenness . lie had protested against , the Prol . ed . omto claimed by Prince MonHehilcolf . A synod has boon summoned to elect his successor , and busy intrigueM iiro at work in the interest of Russia . l ( , is announced that tho Sultan him granted a firman for the construction of a canal from KusHova , on tho Danube , where the river bonds to the north , to ICustenjdo oh the Black Sea . The concession is to an English company . If successful , this canal will voiwlor British commereo independent of Russian obstruction *! . Tho distance from tho oxtromo pointfl ia only thirty miles , but tho canal
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October 22 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . IQlg
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Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 22, 1853, page 1013, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2009/page/5/
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