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.
He added: "The concert of the Powers is firm and united in its decisions. Therefore I request your Majesty to take my advice into earnest consideration."
The Sultan's great friend, Emperor William of Germany, has also intimated to him that it would be wise for him to obey the wishes of the Powers, and not resist the demand for the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from Thessaly.
The Russian sentiment is also strongly against Turkey. The official newspaper of St. Petersburg utters a warning to the Sultan that if he remains obstinate, the Powers will resort to decided measures to enforce obedience to their commands.
France has sent him a very decided refusal to interfere in the matter.
All this time Turkey has been pushing her war preparations forward, and is ready to take prompt action in case the peace negotiations should fall through; indeed, the Turks have already recommenced hostilities.
Two thousand Turks besieged the town of Kalabaka in Thessaly, the Greeks defending the place until they were overpowered.
A great number of the inhabitants fled to the mountains for safety, but those who were not fortunate enough to escape were cruelly massacred by the enemy.