CHAPTER XXX.
THE WAR OF 1876 I returned to Montenegro in the following June, after the diplomacy of Europe had vainly and discordantly discussed mediation all the winter.
An armistice had suspended hostilities, but the Turks continued the concentration of troops on the frontiers of the principality, north and south, and refused the conditions of the Prince for a peaceful solution.

Everything waited for the acceptance by Servia of the programme for the war which was to be declared by the principalities against Turkey.

The official declaration of war took place on the 2d of July, and on the 3d the Prince set out with flying banners for the conquest of the Herzegovina.

My orders being to remain in touch with the telegraph, I had to resign the pleasure of the campaign, and I passed the time in studying up accessories.

The Prince started directly for Mostar, accompanied by the Austrian military attach, Colonel Thoemel, one of the most intensely anti-Montenegrin Austrian officials I ever met.