p. 152 | Earl Derby’s Note

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · May 10, 1877

Earl Derby’s Note.

The following from a leading editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle, May 9, shows the state of feeling now existing in England toward Russia:

“The prominent and absorbing subject of conversation and solicitude in European diplomatic circles just now is the Derby note in reply to Gortchakoff’s circular justifying a declaration of war against Turkey. Beyond a doubt this note was the work of the full British Cabinet, and that is what makes it of so much importance. It is dated, London, May 1, signed by Earl Derby, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and directed to Lord Loftus, British Ambassador at St. Petersburg. After calling the Ambassador’s attention to the announcement in the Gortchakoff circular that the Czar had given orders to his army to cross the Turkish frontier, Derby declares that ‘Her Majesty’s Government has received this communication with deep regret, and cannot accept the statements and conclusions as justifying the action taken.’ This is very strong diplomatic language. The words ‘cannot accept’ may have been carelessly interjected; but if they were deliberately inserted, they mean something more than a protest against the action of Russia.”

“The note then gives a synoptical history of the protocol, the purposes of the Powers in its incubation and production, what they had good reason to anticipate from it, etc. The concluding paragraph of the note is still sharper than the sentence above quoted. Gortchakoff interprets the action of Russia as in ‘accordance with the sentiments of Europe.’ Earl Derby replies that ‘Her Majesty’s Government cannot agree in this view.’ And he charges that ‘the presence of large Russian armies on the frontiers of Turkey, menacing its safety,’ rendered disarmament by the Porte impossible, and ‘awakened feelings of apprehension and fanaticism,’ thus constituting ‘a national obstacle to pacification and reforms.’ The entrance of these armies into Turkey ‘will not improve the condition of the Christians.’”

“He then, in not very diplomatic phrase, reminds the Russian Government that their course is in ‘contravention of the Treaty of Paris, by which Russia and other Powers engaged to respect the independence and territorial integrity of the Ottoman Empire;’ that this stipulation was confirmed by Russia in the Conferences of London, 1871; that it is ‘an essential principle of the law of nations that no Power can liberate itself from the engagements of a treaty, nor modify the stipulations thereof, but with the consent of the contracting parties by means of an amicable arrangement;’ and that Russia, at London, agreed to this. From all of which Earl Derby deduces that:—”

“In taking action against Turkey on his own part, and having recourse to arms without further consultation with his allies, the Emperor of Russia has separated himself from Europe in concert, and has at the same time departed from the rule to which he himself had solemnly recorded his consent.”

“And on the part of Great Britain the British Cabinet states ‘in a manner equally formal and public’ with the Gortchakoff circular, that ‘the decision of Russia is not one which can have their concurrence or approval.’ The Russian Government makes no answer to this sharp note because, as a Berlin journal aptly puts it, there is but one way to reply, and that by a declaration of war against England. The note itself has a warlike ring, and was probably published more for the purpose of sounding public opinion in England and for the ear of the Austrian Government than anything else. It is certainly equivalent to a reservation on the part of England to begin hostilities at any moment after it shall appear to her Government that Russia intends to sever and disintegrate the Ottoman Empire, either in Europe or Asia.”