356 AN INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNAL FOR EUROPE. 



dismantled, and its neutrality guaranteed by the Signatories to the 

 Treaty. 



3. In 1876, a Congress assembled at Constantinople, attended 

 by the representatives of all the Great Powers, for the express 

 purpose of averting another war between Russia and Turkey. The 

 Governments, represented at the Congress, were anxious for Peace, 

 and every effort was made to secure it, but failed, and why? 

 because, behind it, there was no executive power to enforce its 

 decision ; and the result was, that the recalcitrant power, Turkey, 

 knowing that the decisions of the Congress were not to be enforced, 

 refused to carry out the verdict of Europe. Had Great Britain, and 

 the Allied Powers declared to Turkey, that the decision of the 

 Congress must be carried out, at the risk of war, Turkey would have 

 yielded, and that disastrous conflict, between Russia and Turkey, 

 would have been prevented. 



4. In 1878, a European Conference assembled at Berlin, when 

 England was represented by the late Lord Beaconsfield, for the 

 express purpose of averting war between England and Russia. All 

 the Powers were anxious for peace. Russia was obstinate. But as 

 soon as she saw that England was resolutely determined to enforce 

 her decision, she yielded, peace was secured, and the Treaty signed. 



5. Lastly, in 1881, another danger arose to the Peace of Europe, 

 consequent on the refusal of Turkey to carry out the decisions of 

 the Congress erf Berlin, regarding the cession of Dulcigno to 

 Montenegro, and the rectification of the Greek frontiers. The 

 moral power of Europe was brought to bear upon Turkey, but she 

 refused to yield, and not until coercion was threatened, arid the British 

 Fleet, backed by the approval of Europe, appeared in the 

 Dardanelles, prepared to enforce, hy force majeure, the will of Europe, 

 did Turkey consent to carry out the decision of the Berlin 

 Congress, and thereby, a great war was averted. 



THE CONCERT OF EUROPE. 



This action of the Great Powers, consisting of England, France, 

 Germany, Russia, Austria, and Italy, has been described as the 

 Concert of Europe, of a powerful International Court of Appeal, exer- 

 cising a control, and superintendence in the weighty affairs of Europe, 

 in the name of Europe, but, without at present, at any rate, any 

 international jurisdiction, nor any clear and definite rules of pro- 



