The protocol of the great powers, signed at London March 31, 1877.

The protocol of the great powers, signed at London March 31, 1877.

The powers who have undertaken in common the pacification of the East, and have with that view, taken part in the conference of Constantinople, recognize that the surest means of attaining the object which they have proposed to themselves is, before all, to maintain the agreement so happily established between them, and jointly to affirm afresh the common interest which they take in the improvement of the condition of the Christian population of Turkey, and in the reforms to be introduced in Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Bulgaria, which the Porte has accepted on condition of itself carrying them into execution. They take cognizance of the conclusion of peace with Servia.

As regards Montenegro, the powers consider the rectification of the frontiers and of the free navigation of the Boïana to be desirable in the interest of a solid and durable arrangement.

The powers consider the arrangements concluded or to be concluded between the Porte and the two principalities as a step accomplished toward the pacification which is the object of their common wishes.

They invite the Porte to consolidate it by replacing its armies on a, peace footing, excepting the number of troops indispensable for the maintenance of order, and by putting in hand with the least possible delay the reforms necessary for the tranquillity and well-being of the provinces, the condition of Which was discussed at the conference. They recognize that the Porte has declared itself ready to realize an important portion of them.

They take cognizance specially of the circular of the Porte of the 13th of February, 1876, and of the declarations made by the Ottoman Government during the conference, and since, through its representatives.

In view of these good intentions on the part of the Parte, and of its evident interest to carry them immediately into effect, the powers believe that they have grounds for hoping that the Porte will profit by the present lull to apply energetically such measures as will cause that effective improvement in the condition of the Christian populations which is unanimously called for as indispensable to the tranquillity of Europe, and that having once entered on this path it will understand that it concerns its honor as well as its interests to persevere in it loyally and efficaciously.

The powers propose to watch carefully, by means of their representatives at Constantinople and their local agents, the manner in which the promises of the Ottoman Government are carried into effect.

If their hopes should once more be disappointed, and if the condition of the Christian subjects of the Sultan should not be improved in a manner to prevent the return of the complications which periodically disturb the peace of the East, they think it right to declare that such a state of affairs would be incompatible with their interests and those of Europe in general. In such case they reserve to themselves to consider in common as to the means which they may deem best fitted to secure the well-being of the Christian populations and the interests of the general peace.