On hearing of the Sultan's action, Russia immediately protested, and the
other Powers joined in a collective note to the Turkish Government,
demanding that their terms of peace be complied with.

The note was very severe in its tone, and insisted that the frontier
line between Greece and Turkey should be fixed according to the wishes
of the Powers, and also that the Powers were determined that peace
should be concluded without further delay.

It was at first intended that the note should fix a date by which the
Sultan was bound to send his reply, and should state what the Powers
would do in case their request was refused.

But the note that was sent contained neither of these clauses, and so
the Sultan is not yet convinced that the Powers really mean to fight him
if he remains obstinate.

The Sultan, who seems to be a very wily diplomat, has in the mean while
been trying to find out the individual feelings of the Powers.

He sent notes to the various rulers, asking their friendly assistance in
the settlement of the frontier question.

None of them gave him any encouragement or reason to suppose they would
uphold him in case the matter was brought to an issue.

The Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria, having assured him of his
friendship, advised him, in very plain language, to conclude peace on
the terms dictated by the Powers.