diplomatique de l'Europe_, vol.ii.

p.
515.] The Czar's Government also was well aware of the peril of arousing a European war.

Nihilism lifted its head threateningly at home; and the Russian troops before Constantinople were dying like flies in autumn.
The outrages committed by them and the Bulgarians on the Moslems of Roumelia had, as we have seen, led to a revolt in the district of Mount Rhodope; and there was talk in some quarters of making a desperate effort to cut off the invaders from the Danube[169].

The discontent of the Roumanians might have been worked upon so as still further to endanger the Russian communications.

Probably the knowledge of these plans and of the warlike preparations of Great Britain induced the Russian Government to moderate its tone.