After the Turk-Serbian-Karadag war stopped, there started diplomatic struggle. England suggested holding a conference in Istanbul with the attendants from the signer countries of Paris Treaty in 1856. This conference is known as Istanbul or Tersane Conference in history. While the agenda was discussed at the conference on 23 December 1876, there started artillery fire. Then, Ottoman Minister of Foreign Affairs stood up and said, “Gentilmen. We do not need to hold this conference because the Constitution guarantees the private rights of all the Ottoman elements.” After this unsuccessful conference, the separation of Ottoman Empire had to wait until Berlin Congregate. However, Ottoman government knew that it was inevitable to Navy was the second strongest marine force after British navy. Turkish army was well prepared and armed for the war against Russian-Serbian-Karadag and Romanian armies together with Bulgarian bandits. It was closely followed because its result would effect the future development.

Announcement of 1876 Ottoman Constitution did not accord with any of the European countries’ plans. They called it child’s play. European countries signed a protocol in London and informed that they would be interested keeping the status quo and the situation of Christians in the Empire, which immediately rejected this. Russia started war on 14 December 1877 and Turkish armies had to fight against Karadag, Serbia, Romania and Russia in the West and against Russia and Armenians in the East.

European countries announced neutrality for Turk-Russian war. Glorious Turkish armies defeated enemy forces a couple of times. But, due to hypocrisy of western countries and being left alone against whole Slav World, Ottoman Empire lost the war and signed a ceasefire in Edirne on 31 January 1878 and the Ayastefanos Treatment on 3 March 1878. The borders were drawn an accordance with the requests of Russian aims.

European countries reacted against Russian forwarding through Istanbul and protested Tzar Alexander II. England even sent its Navy to Gallipolis Channel. They again came across after Crimean War.

With Ayastefanos Treatment, Serbia, Karadag and Romania gained independence. Bosnia was an autonomous region and Bulgaria became an autonomous country with its own prince, army and government from Macedonia to Danube River.

To be continued