Papers Relating to the Foreign Relations of the United States, Transmitted to Congress, With the Annual Message of the President, December 2, 1878

No. 510.
Mr. Maynard to Mr. Evarts ,

Legation of the United States,
Constantinople , April 3, 1878. (Received April 29.)

No. 241.]

Sir: I had the honor, in my dispatch No. 229, of March 6, 1878, to report the signing of the preliminaries of peace by the plenipotentiaries of Russia and Turkey at San Stefano on the 3d of that month. Giving the names of the respective plenipotentiaries in my dispatch No. 228, of February 28, 1878, I find omitted Mr. Nelidon, lately the first secretary of the Russian embassy near the Sublime Porte, who was associated with General Count Ignatiew on the part of Russia.

On the 10th of March, His Excellency Raouf Pasha left for St. Petersburg, in company with General Count Ignatiew, as special envoy on the part of Turkey for the exchange of ratifications. On the 17th the ratifications were exchanged at the Russian capital, and on the 24th he returned, bringing with him from captivity Osman Pasha, the defender of Plevna, and on the Turkish side, by general consent, the hero of the war. Each of these days was Sunday. Thus the preliminaries of peace were signed on Sunday, were ratified on Sunday, and the special envoy departed on and returned from his mission on Sunday. Whether this was a mere coincidence, or was designed as a significant observance of the Christian Sabbath, I am not informed.

To properly finish this interesting chapter of Turkish history and bring it to a fitting close, I have attempted with imperfect success to procure for transmission an authentic copy of the treaty itself. Application at the Porte disclosed the fact that the government has printed no copies even for office use, His Excellency Safvet Pasha himself, the minister of foreign affairs, and. one of the plenipotentiaries who negotiated the treaty, using for reference a copy of a newspaper which had published it as current news. He, however, kindly placed at my service the original instrument, either to have it copied or collated with the newspaper impression. This has been done, and in this form a copy of the original French text is inclosed, which I believe to be accurate.

As neither of the two contracting nations uses the English language, there is, of course, no authorized translation in that language. I inclose a copy of one made for Her Britannic Majesty’s Government, and undoubtedly correct.

Will this treaty, which is the end of one war, be also the beginning of another?

I am, & c.,

HORACE MAYNARD

[Inclosure in No. 241.—Translation.]

The treaty of peace.—Official text.

[From the Daily Levant Herald of March 30, 1878.]

The official text of the treaty of San Stefano was published at St. Petersburg on March 21, under the heading of “Preliminaries of peace,” and was telegraphed in full by the correspondent of the Times to that paper of the 22d of March, as follows:

• Article 1. 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 condition hereafter mentioned, in the following manner: From the mountain of Dobrositza 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 toward the confluence of the Piva and the Tara, ascending toward the north by the Drina as far as its confluence with the Fim. The eastern frontier of the principality will follow this last river as far as Prijepolje, and will proceed by Rostrag to Sukha Planina, leaving Bihor and Rostrag to Montenegro. Uniting Rugovo, Plova, and Gusinje, the frontier line will follow the chain of mountains by Shlieb Paklen, and run with the northern frontier of Albania by the crests of the mountains Koprivnik, Babavr, Borvr, 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. Niksich, Gatzko, Sponje, Podgoritza, Zabliek, and Antivari will remain in Montenegro. A European commission, on which will be represented the Sublime Porte and the Government of Montenegro, will be charged with the duty of fixing the definitive limits of the principality, noting on the spot in the general map the ‘modifications which it may think necessary and equitable, from the point of view of the respective interests and of the tranquillity of the two countries, to which it will award 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. 2. 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 ulteriorly determine the character and form of the relations between the Sublime Porte and the principality as regards, particularly, the placing of Montenegrin agents at Constantinople and in certain localities of the Ottoman Empire, where the necessity for such agents will be recognized, the extradition of fugitive criminals on the one territory or the other, and the submission of Montenegrins traveling 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 at 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 abandon the settlement of their differences to Russia and Austria-Hungary, who 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.
• Art. 3. Servia is recognized as independent. Its frontier, indicated on the annexed map, will follow the Thalweg of the Drina, leaving Little Zvornik and Zakar to the principality, and running along the old limit as far as the sources of the stream Rezevo, near Stailac. 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 Mehinje and Argo-vishe as far as its source, the line goes by Bosur-Planina, 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, Sitnitz, and Lab, and of the brook Batintze to its source (upon the Garapachnitza 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 follow, crossing the Miovatzka Planina and redescending toward the Morava, near the village of Kalimance. Starting from this point, the frontier will descend the Morava as far as the stream Blossina, near the village of Straikovtzi. Reascending the latter stream as far as the Linberazda and the stream Konkavitze, the line will follow the Sukha Planina, will run along the stream Verylo as far as the Nisava, and will descend the said river as far as the village of Kronjsatz. Thence the line will proceed to rejoin by the shortest route the old Servian frontier to the southeast of Karaoul Bore, not leaving it until it reaches the Danube. Ada Kale will be evacuated and demolished. A Turko-Servian commission, assisted by a Russian commissary, 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. 4. The Mussulmans holding lands in the territories annexed to Servia, and who do not wish to reside in the principality, can preserve their estates by letting them or by having them administered by others. A Turko-Servian commission, assisted by a Russian commissary, will be intrusted with the supreme settlement in the course of two years of all questions relating to the ascertainment of immovable properties in which Mussulmans have interest. The commission will also be called upon to settle within three years the method of transfer of state property or of religious endowments (vacant), as well as the questions relative to the interests of the private indivictuals who may be engaged there when a direct treaty is concluded between Turkey and Servia, determining the character of the relations between the Sublime Porte and the principality. Servian subjects traveling 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.
• Art. 5. The Sublime Porte recognizes the independence of Roumania, which will have a right to an indemnity, to be discussed between the two countries. On the conclusion of a direct treaty between Turkey and Roumania, Roumanian subjects will enjoy all the rights guaranteed to the subjects of other European powers.
• Art. 6. Bulgaria is constituted an autonomous tributary principality, with a Christian government and a national militia. The definitive frontiers of the Bulgarian principality will be laid down by a special Russo-Turkish commission before the evacuation of Roumelia by the Imperial Russian army. This commission will take note in its labors of the modifications to be made on the spot in the general map; of the principle of the nationality of the majority of the inhabitants, conformably to the basis of the peace and also of the topographical necessities and practical interests of locomotion for the local populations. The extent of the Bulgarian principality is marked in general terms on the accompanying map, which will serve as a base 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 Vrania as far as the chain of the Karadagh. Turning toward the west, the line will follow the western limits of the Cazas of Koumanevo, Kotchani, Kalkandelen, to Mount Korab, thence by the river Velevchitza as far as its juncture with the Black Drina, turning toward the south by the Drina, and afterward by the western limit of the Caza of Ochride toward Mount Linas. The frontier will follow the western limits of the Cazas of Gortcha and Starovo as far as Mount Grammas, then by the lake of Kastria. The frontier line will rejoin the river Moglenitza, and after having followed its course and passed to the south of Ya-nitza, Wardar, and Yenidjé, will go by the mouth of the Wardar and by the Galliko toward the villages of Parga and of Saraikeui; thence through the middle of Lake Bechikguel to the mouth of the rivers Strouma and Karasson, and by the sea-coast as far as Burn Guel; then, going farther northwest, toward Mount Tchaltepe by the chain of Rhodope as far as Mount Kronschovo, by the mountains Esehekkonlatchi, Tchipelion, Karakolas, and Tschiklar, and then as far as the river Arda, whence the line will be traced southward in the direction of Adrianople by the villages of Sugutlion, Kara-Hamza, Arnoutkeni, Akardii, and Enidjé, as far as the river Teikederessi. The line will follow the rivers Teikederessi and Tchorlouderessi as far as Loulebourgas, and thence by the river Soudjakdere to the village of Serguen. The frontier will go by the heights straight toward Hakim-Tabaiassi, where it will terminate on the Black Sea. It will leave the sea-shore near Mangalia, running along by the southern boundaries of the Sandjak of Toultcha, and will come out on the Danube above Rassova.
• Art. 7. The Prince of Bulgaria shall be freely elected by the population, and confirmed by the Sublime Porte, with the assent of the powers. No member of the reigning dynasties of the great European powers shall be elected Prince of Bulgaria. In the event of the dignity of Prince of Bulgaria being vacant, the election of the new prince shall be held with the same conditions and forms. Before the election of the prince an assembly of Bulgarian notables, convoked at Philippopoli, Plovdiv, or Tirnova, shall draw up under the surveillance of an imperial Russian commissioner, and in the presence of an Ottoman commissioner, the organization of the future administration agreeably to the precedents established in 1830, after the peace of Adrianople. In the Danubian principalities, in the localities where the Bulgarians are mixed with the Turks, Greeks, Wallachians, Kautzovlochs, or others, account will be taken of the rights and interests of these populations in the elections and in the preparations of the organic by-laws. The introduction of the new régime in 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 régime, 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. 8. The Ottoman army will no longer remain in Bulgaria; and all the ancient fortresses will be demolished at the expense of the local government. The Sublime Porte will have the right to dispose, in its own way, of the war material and of the property belonging to the Ottoman Government which may be found in the Danubian fortresses already evacuated in accordance with the terms of the armistice of the 19th (31st) January, as well as that in the strongholds of Shumla and Varna.
• Until the complete formation of a native militia that will be 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, Russian troops will occupy the country, and will lend effectual assistance to the commissaire in case of need. This occupation will be limited to a term approximating to two years. The strength of the Russian army of occupation, composed of six divisions of infantry and two of cavalry, which will remain in Bulgaria after the evacuation of Turkey by the imperial army, will not exceed 50,000 men. It will be maintained at the expense of the country occupied. The Russian army of occupation will preserve their communications with Russia, not only by Roumania, but also by the ports of the Black Sea, Varna and Bourgas, where they can organize for the term of the occupation the necessary depots.
• Art. 9. The amount of the annual tribute which Bulgaria will pay the suzerain court, by transmitting it to a bank to be named by the Sublime Porte, will be determined by an agreement between Russia, the Ottoman Govern Lieut, and the other cabinets at the end of the first year of the fonctionnement of the new organization. This tribute will be based on the revenue derived from all territory Avhich is to be separated from the principality. Bulgaria will take upon itself the obligations of the Ottoman Government toward the Rustehuk and Varna Railway Company, after a consultation between the Sublime Porte, the government of the principality, and the management of this company. The regulations as to the other railways (voles ferrees) which cross the principality are also to be decided by an agreement on the point between the Sublime Porte, the government established in Bulgaria, and the directors of the companies concerned.
• Art. 10. The Sublime Porte will have the right to transport troops, ammunition, and provisions by fixed routes through Bulgaria to the provinces beyond the principality, and vice versa. In order to prevent difficulties and misunderstandings, while the military necessities of the Sublime Porte are guaranteed, a special regulation laying down the conditions under which the right may be exercised will be made within three months after the ratification of the present agreement by an entente between the Sublime Porte and the Bulgarian Government. It is well 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 mails over the principality, and to establish telegraphic communication. These two points will also be determined in the manner and within the period of time indicated below.
• Art. 11. The Mussulman property-owners or others who fix their personal residence outside the principality may retain their estates by causing them to be let to or administered by others. Turco-Bulgarian commissioners will sit in the principal centers of population, under the surveillance of Russian commissioners, to decide finally in the course of two years on all questions relative to the ascertainment of immovable property or Mussulman interests, where others are concerned. Similar commissions will be charged with the duty of regulating during the two years all matters concerning all questions as to the mode of alienation or use for the benefit of the Sublime Porte of the property of the state and the religious endowments (vacouf). At the expiration of the two years mentioned above the properties which shall not have been reclaimed will be sold by public auction, and the proceeds thereof will be devoted to the support of the widows and orphans, Mussulman as well as Christian, victims of the recent events.
• Art. 12. All the Danubian fortresses will be demolished. There will be no strongholds in future on the banks of this river, nor men-of-war in the waters of the principalities of Roumania, Servia, and Bulgaria, except the usual guard-ships and the small vessels employed for police and custom-house purposes. The rights, obligations, and prerogatives of the international commission of the Lower Danube are maintained intact.
• Art. 13. The Sublime Porte undertakes to re-establish the navigability of the passage of Sulina and indemnify the private individuals who have been put to loss by the war and the interruption of the navigation of the Danube. Five hundred thousand francs are to be taken for this purpose from what is due to it from the Danubian commission.
• Art. 14. There will immediately be introduced into Bosnia and Herzegovina the European proposals of reform communicated to the Ottoman plenipotentiaries at the first sitting of the Constantinople conference, with the modifications to be agreed upon in common between the Sublime Porte, the government, and that of Austria-Hungary. The payment of arrears will not be demanded, and the current revenues of these provinces until the 1st of March, 1880, shall be exclusively applied to indemnify the families of refugees and inhabitants, victims of late events, without distinction of race or creed, as well as to the local needs of the country. The sum to be levied yearly after this period for the central government shall subsequently be fixed by a special understanding between Turkey, Russia, and Austria-Hungary.
• Art. 15. The Sublime Porte engages to apply in the island of Crete the organic law of 1868, in consideration of the previously expressed wishes of the native population. Analogous reforms adapted to local needs will 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 deed. Special commissions, in which the native population will be largely represented, will in each province be intrusted with the task of elaborating the details of the new organization, and the result of their labors will be submitted to the Sublime Porte, who will consult the Imperial Government of Russia. [The telegram here is defective, the end of Art. 15 and beginning of Art. 16 being manifestly omitted.]^*
• Art. 16. Since the evacuation by the Russian troops of the territories which they occupy in Armenia, and which are to be restored to Turkey, might occasion conflicts and complications prejudicial to the friendly relations between the two countries, the Sublime Porte engages to realize without more delay the improvements and reforms demanded by local wants in the districts inhabited by the Armenians and to guarantee their security from Kurds and Circassians.
• Art. 17. A full and complete amnesty is granted by the Sublime Porte to all Ottoman subjects compromised by late events, and all persons imprisoned on this account or sent into exile shall be immediately set at liberty.
• Art. 18. The Sublime Porte will take into serious consideration the opinion expressed by the commissaries of the mediating powers as regards possession of the town of Khotour, and engages to carry into effect the work of the definitive delimitation of the Turco-Persian frontier.
• Art. 19. The indemnity for the war and the losses imposed on Russia which His Majesty the Emperor of Russia claims, and which the Sublime Porte binds itself to reimburse to him, consists of (a) 900 million roubles for war expenses, for maintenance of the army, for replacing of matériel, and for goods bespoken; (b) of 400 million roubles in return for damage done to the south coast of Russia, to her export commerce, and to her railways; (c) of 100 million roubles for injuries inflicted on the Caucasus by the invasion; and (d) of 10 million roubles to recoup the detriment done the interests of Russian subjects and establishments in Turkey—making a total of 1,410 million roubles. Taking into consideration the financial embarrassment of Turkey, and in harmony with the wishes of His Majesty the Sultan, the Emperor of Russia consents to substitute payment of the greater part of the moneys above enumerated for the cession of the following territory: (a) The Sandjak of Tultcha—that is to say, the districts (Cazas) of Kilia, Sulina, Mahmoudié, Isaktcha, Tultcha, Matchin, Babadagh, Hirsova, Kustendjié, and Medjidié, as well as the Delta Islands, and the Isles 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 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 to be determined by a Russo-Roumanian commission in the space of a year after the ratification of the treaty of peace, (b) Ardahan, Kars, Batoum, Bayazid, and the territory as far as the Soghanli. In its general outline the frontier line leaving the Black Sea coast’ will follow the ridge of the mountains which separate the affluents of the river Hopa from those of the river Tchoruk, and the chain of mountains to the south of the town of Artvin up to the river Tchoruk, near the villages of Alat and Bechaget. Then the frontier will pass by the peaks of Mounts Dervenikgheki, Hortchezor, and Bedjiguin Dagh, along the ridge which separates the affluents of the Tortumtchai and the Tchoruk and by the heights near Yaily Vihine, coming down at the village of Vihine Kilissa to the river Tortumtchai; thence it will follow the Sivridagh Chain to the defile of the same name, passing south of the village of Noriman; then it will turn to the south and go to Zevin, whence the frontier, passing west of the road which leads from Zevin to the villages of Ardost and Khorassan, will strike south by the Soghanli Chain to the village of Gilitchman; then by the ridge of the Charian Dagh it will arrive ten versts south of Hamour, at the Mouradtchai defile; then the line will pass along the ridge of the Alladagh and the summits of the Hori and Tandouret, and, passing south of the Bayazid Valley, will proceed to rejoin the old Turco-Persian frontier south of the lake of Kazli. 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 labors will take into account the topography of localities, as well as considerations of good administration and other elements calculated to insure the tranquillity of the districts, (c) The territories mentioned in paragraphs a and b are ceded to Russia as an equivalent of the sum of one milliard and one hundred million roubles. As for the rest of the indemnity—namely, 300 millions of roubles, apart from the 10 millions of roubles intended to indemnify Russian interests and establishments in Turkey, the mode of payment and guarantee of the former sum will be settled by an understanding between the Imperial Government of Russia and that of His Majesty the Sultan, (d) The 10 million roubles claimed to indemnify the losses sustained by Russian subjects and establishments in Turkey will be paid on the claims of those interested being audited by the Russian embassy at Constantinople and handed to the Sublime Porte.
• Art. 20. The Sublime Porte will take effective steps to put an amicable end to the lawsuits of Russian subjects pending for several years, indemnify the latter if need be, and carry into effect without delay all judgments passed.
• [The same remark applies here as to articles 15 and 16.]^*
• Art. 21. The inhabitants of the districts ceded to Russia who care to take up their residence out of these territories will be free to sell all their lands and effects and remove. For this purpose an interval of three years is granted them, counting from the date of ratification of the present deed, on the expiration of which time those of the inhabitants who shall not have sold their realty and left their homes will remain Russian subjects. Immovable property belonging to the state, or to religious houses situated out of the localities aforesaid, will be sold after the same interval of three years in the manner to be arranged by a special Russo-Turkish commission. The same commission will be intrusted with determining how the Ottoman Government is to remove its war material, munitions, supplies, and other state property existing in the forts, towns, and localities ceded to Russia, and not at present occupied by Russian troops.
• Art. 22. Russian ecclesiastics, pilgrims, and monks traveling or sojourning in Turkey in Europe or in Asia will enjoy the same rights, advantages, and privileges as the resident ecclesiastics of any other nationality. The right of official protection is accorded to the imperial embassy and consulates in Turkey, no less with regard to the persons of those above mentioned than their property and establishments. Priests and others in holy places, and especially the monks of Mount Athos, of Russian origin, will remain in full possession of their previous advantages and continue to enjoy in the three convents belonging to them and the houses therewith connected the same rights and privileges as are assured to the other religious establishments and convents of Mount Athos.
• Art. 23. All the treaties, conventions, and agreements previously concluded between the two high contracting parties relative to trade, and the legal status and position of Russian subjects in Turkey and which had fallen into abeyance by the outbreak of the war, shall be restored to validity; and saving the clauses therein affected by the present deed, the two governments will occupy the same relation to one another with respect to all their engagements and intercourse, commercial and otherwise, as they held before the declaration of war.
• Art. 24. The Bosphorous and the Dardanelles will remain open in time of peace as well as of war to the merchant vessels of neutral states bound to or from Russian ports. The Sublime Porte consequently engages never henceforth to establish before the ports of the Black Sea and the Sea of Azof a blockade fictif, which would be contrary to the spirit of the declaration signed at Paris on the 4th (16th) of April, 1856.
• Art. 25. The evacuation by the Russian army of Turkey in Europe, with the exception of Bulgaria, will be complete in 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 keeping the Russian troops longer in Turkey and Roumania, part of the imperial army may be marched down to the ports of the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmora, to be there shipped in vessels belonging to the Russian Government or freighted 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 to return by the Caucasus or the Crimea. The preparations for the departure of the troops will begin immediately after the exchange of ratifications.
• Art. 26. As long as the imperial Russian troops remain in those localities which, according to the present deed, will be restored to the Sublime Porte, the ordering and administration of affairs will continue in the same state as has existed since the occupation. The Sublime Porte will not participate therein during all this time, and until the entire departure of all the troops the Ottoman forces will not enter the places to be afterwards restored to the Sublime Porte, and the latter 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.
• Art. 27. The Sublime Porte undertakes not to punish, or allow to be punished, those Ottoman subjects who may have compromised themselves by their relations with the Russian army during the war. In the event of any persons wishing to withdraw with their families after the Russian troops, the Ottoman authorities will not oppose their departure.
• Art. 28. Immediately after the ratification of the preliminaries of peace, the prisoners of war on each side will be given up under the auspices of commissioners appointed on both sides, who for this purpose will go to Odessa and Sevastopol. The Ottoman Government will pay all the expenses of the maintenance of the prisoners in 18 equal installments in the space of six years, in accordance with accounts that will be drawn up by the commissioners. The exchange of prisoners between the Ottoman Government and the Governments of Roumania, Servia, and Montenegro will be made on the same basis, there being in all cases a deduction in the account of the number of prisoners restored by the Ottoman Government from the number of prisoners that will have to be restored to that government.
• Art. 29. The present deed will be ratified by their Imperial Majesties the Emperor of Russia and the Emperor of the Ottomans, and the ratifications will be exchanged, in 15 days, or sooner if possible, at St. Petersburg, where they will agree likewise as to the place and the time at which the stipulations of the present deed will be repeated with all the solemn forms customarily observed in treaties of peace. It is always well understood that the high contracting parties regard themselves as formally bound by the present acte from the moment of its ratification.

In witness whereof the respective plenipotentiaries have appended their signatures and seals to the present acte.

Done at San Stefano the 19th of February (3d of March), 1878.

1. A comparison with the French text shows the following words should be added to Art. 15: “before putting them into execution.”
2. Comparison with the French text shows that there has been no omission.