In effect they were as follows:  The Beaconsfield Cabinet strongly objected to the proposed wide extension of Bulgaria at the expense of other nationalities, and suggested that the districts south of the Balkans, which were peopled almost wholly by Bulgarians, should not be wholly withdrawn from Turkish control, but “should receive a large measure of administrative self-government . . . with a Christian governor.”  To these proposals the Russian Government gave a conditional assent.  Lord Salisbury further claimed that the Sultan should have the right “to canton troops on the frontiers of southern Bulgaria”; and that the militia of that province should be commanded by officers appointed by the Sultan with the consent of Europe.  England also undertook to see that the cause of the Greeks in Thessaly and Epirus received the attention of all the Powers, in place of the intervention of Russia alone on their behalf, as specified in the San Stefano Treaty.

Respecting the cession of Roumanian Bessarabia to Russia, on which the Emperor Alexander had throughout insisted (see page 205), England expressed “profound regret” at that demand, but undertook not to dispute it at the Congress.  On his side the Emperor Alexander consented to restore Bayazid in Asia Minor to the Turks, but insisted on the retention of Batoum, Kars, and Ardahan.  Great Britain acceded to this, but hinted that the defence of Turkey in Asia would thenceforth rest especially upon her—­a hint to prepare Russia for the Cyprus Convention.

For at this same time the Beaconsfield Cabinet had been treating secretly with the Sublime Porte.  When Lord Salisbury found out that Russia would not abate her demands for Batoum, Ardahan, and Kars, he sought to safeguard British interests in the Levant by acquiring complete control over the island of Cyprus.  His final instructions to Mr. Layard to that effect were telegraphed on May 30, that is, on the very day on which peace with Russia was practically assured[170].  The Porte, unaware of the fact that there was little fear of the renewal of hostilities, agreed to the secret Cyprus Convention on June 4; while Russia, knowing little or nothing as to Britain’s arrangement with the Porte, acceded to the final arrangements for the discussion of Turkish affairs at Berlin.  It is not surprising that this manner of doing business aroused great irritation both at St. Petersburg and Constantinople.  Count Shuvaloff’s behaviour at the Berlin Congress when the news came out proclaimed to the world that he considered himself tricked by Lord Beaconsfield; while that statesman disdainfully sipped nectar of delight that rarely comes to the lips even of the gods of diplomacy.

[Footnote 170:  Parl.  Papers, Turkey, No. 36 (1878).  See, too, ibid.  No. 43.]