In six days he had made up his mind, and a polite message was sent by the Porte (the Turkish Government) to Austria, that the ill-treatment of the Austrian citizen was a matter of deep regret, and that the Porte would pay the required money damages, would discharge the offending officials, and send warships to salute the Austrian flag; and last, but not least, the Porte would pay the railroad company's bill, which amounted to the nice little sum of $1,250,000.
The letter concluded by stating that the Sultan desired the good will of the Emperor of Austria, and hoped that nothing might intervene to endanger it.
By this little action Austria and Russia succeeded in weakening Turkey still more through her treasury; but even then they were not satisfied.
Russia had found out that the Sultan intended to spend part of the indemnity Turkey was to obtain from Greece in strengthening his navy; in fact, with Germany's help he meant to have the finest navy in the world.
This did not suit Russia at all. It became known that Germany had arranged to supply Turkey with a perfectly equipped navy—guns, equipment, and all complete—for one-quarter of the money coming from Greece.
Turkey has been bankrupt for many years, and owes money to most of the nations of Europe, so when Russia learned of this dangerous activity on her part, she took advantage of the old debts to prevent it.
She sent word that if Turkey was in a position to buy a navy, she must be also in a position to pay her debts, and therefore Russia would like to have the old account of 1878 settled.
This is a war debt which Turkey owes Russia because of the last war between them.
This debt is an extremely heavy one, and the Porte, becoming frightened lest Russia should insist on its payment, hastened to inform the Czar that nothing definite had been arranged about the navy.
Russia replied that the moment Turkey shall attempt to build up her navy or increase her war supplies, she will insist on the payment of this debt.