The feelings of consternation and bitter resentment evoked by the publication of the Treaty of San Stefano soon found expression in the Roumanian Chamber, where the action of the Russian Government was criticised in scathing terms, and in the Press, whose comments on the situation were little calculated to restrain the popular indignation. The Minister of the Exterior telegraphed to the various Roumanian diplomatic agents abroad that the Government felt itself compelled to protest against a treaty, every article of which was either directly or indirectly opposed to the interests of Roumania. Prince Charles, on the other hand, was convinced of the futility of all protests, and the impossibility of retaining Bessarabia, and was therefore chiefly concerned in checking the growing hostility of the Roumanian nation towards their all-powerful neighbour. At the same time no effort was spared to secure the representation of Roumania at the impending European Congress, and M. Bratianu, the President of the Ministry, was despatched for this purpose to Vienna and Berlin with letters from the Prince himself. Though the general disposition towards Roumania on the part of the Great Powers was that of lukewarm platonic sympathy, a ray of hope was at one time afforded by the warlike attitude of England, who would only agree to a Congress empowered to consider the whole of the Treaty of San Stefano. General Ignatieff traversed Europe in order to effect an understanding between the several Cabinets. Prince Charles Anthony, however, warned his son that "the loss of the Bessarabian region must now be regarded as inevitable, and the only consolation is that the sympathy of public opinion generally is accorded to you and to your country." During the absence of Bratianu, Prince Gortchakoff transmitted to the Roumanian Agent in St. Petersburg a threat which had fallen from the mouth of the Czar himself: that if Roumania protested against Article VIII. of the Treaty (which defined the route of the Russian troops through Roumania), he, the Czar, would disarm the Roumanian army. Prince Charles at once caused the following reply to be forwarded: "The Roumanian army, which fought so gallantly before Plevna under the eyes of the Czar, may be annihilated, but will never be disarmed!"