The situation was critical, since the Russian army practically occupied the Principality, and the flimsiest pretexts were employed to increase the number of troops in and round Bucharest. The threats of Prince Gortchakoff were discussed throughout Europe, even in the English Parliament. At length Prince Charles was forced to prepare for the worst, and to make arrangements to remove his troops and Government to Little Wallachia. The tension between Russia and Roumania was still further increased at this period by a remarkable incident. On the conclusion of the peace, Prince Charles had forwarded a congratulatory letter to the Czar through the Consul-General at Bucharest, and was therefore greatly surprised to learn from Prince Alexander of Battenberg that the Czar was complaining at not having received his congratulations. It was then discovered that the Imperial aide-de-camp, to whom the letter had been entrusted, had been seriously ill at Vienna, and the unfortunate delay of six weeks was thus accounted for. The Czar telegraphed as follows immediately the letter reached his hands (April 8, 1878): "Your kind letter of the 21st February did not reach me until to-day. I thank you sincerely for it, and offer the same prayers as yourself that the peace may become firm and lasting. My feelings and my friendship for you and Princess Elisabeth will remain unaltered; but I cannot but regret the attitude of those who are at the head of your Government, and who have brought about a situation which is entirely antagonistic to the real interests of Roumania." A letter expressed the Czar's views still more forcibly: