Page:The European Concert in the Eastern Question.djvu/268

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252
THE BALKAN PENINSULA, ETC.: TEXTS.

classes of society. These Divans shall be called upon to express the wishes of the people in regard to the definitive organization of the Principalities.

An instruction from the Congress shall regulate the relations between the Commission and these Divans.

Art. XXV. Taking into consideration the opinion expressed by the two Divans, the Commission shall transmit, without delay, to the present seat of the Conferences, the result of its own labours.

Reorganization. The final agreement with the Suzerain Power shall be recorded in a Convention to be concluded at Paris between the High Contracting Parties; and a Hatti-Scherif in conformity with the stipulations of the Convention, shall constitute definitively the organization of those Provinces, placed thenceforward under the collective guarantee of all the signing Powers[1].

National troops. Art. XXVI. It is agreed that there shall be in the Principalities a national armed force, organized with the view to maintain the security of the interior, and to insure that of the frontiers. No impediment shall be opposed to the extraordinary measures of defence which, by agreement with the Sublime Porte, they may be called upon to take in order to repel any external aggression.

Armed intervention of the Porte. Art. XXVII. If the internal tranquillity of the Principalities should be menaced or compromised, the Sublime Porte shall come to an understanding with the other Contracting Powers in regard to the measures to be taken for maintaining or re-establishing legal order. No armed intervention can take place without previous agreement between those Powers.


Servia, 28, 29[2].

Privileges. Art. XXVIII. The Principality of Servia shall continue to hold of the Sublime Porte, in conformity with the Imperial Hatts which fix and determine its rights and immunities[3], placed hence-forward under the collective guarantee of the Contracting Powers.

In consequence, the said Principality shall preserve its independent and national administration, as well as full liberty of worship, of legislation, of commerce, and of navigation[4].

Garrison. Art. XXIX. The right of garrison of the Sublime Porte, as
  1. V. supra, p. 234.
  2. Cf. supra, p. 236, and Arts. 34−42 of the Treaty of Berlin.
  3. I. e. of 15th August, 1830, and 24th December, 1838; Legislation Ottomane, ii. pp. 56, 60.
  4. V. supra, p. 236.