The statesmen of the Continent were equally sceptical as to the _bona fides_ of these offers, and on January 31, 1876, presented to the Porte their scheme of reforms already described.

Disraeli and our Foreign Minister, Lord Derby, gave a cold and guarded assent to the "Andrassy Note," though they were known to regard it as "inopportune." To the surprise of the world, the Porte accepted the Note on February 11, with one reservation.
This act of acceptance, however, failed to satisfy the insurgents.

They decided to continue the struggle.

Their irreconcilable attitude doubtless arose from their knowledge of the worthlessness of Turkish promises when not backed by pressure from the Powers; and it should be observed that the "Note" gave no hint of any such pressure[95].

But it was also prompted by the hope that Servia and Montenegro would soon draw the sword on their behalf--as indeed happened later on.