The Prince's position was doubly difficult: himself the most tolerant of mortals, he viewed all attempts at persecution with the sternest disfavour; as a ruler, he could not close his eyes to the inevitable result of the emancipation of the Moldavian Jews, who would then have gained possession of the greater part of the heavily mortgaged estates in that district. Whatever happened, it seemed as though the enormous sacrifices which Roumania had borne had failed to secure any adequate recompense; whilst, on the other hand, England had received Cyprus, and Austria was to administer Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bratianu, therefore, was only too correct when he reported from Berlin: "Prince Bismarck alone was straightforward with us from the commencement when he told us Bessarabia was lost. He was sincere, for it would have been to his interest if we had come to an understanding with Russia direct! All the other Great Powers were interested in supporting our resistance, for they were then able, by sacrificing us in the end, to obtain more concessions for themselves from Russia." Prince Charles wrote to his father on August 4, 1878: "The struggles which Roumania has had to endure during the last few months, and has yet to endure, are, beyond all comparison, more serious than those at Plevna and Widin. To issue victorious from them will be far more honourable to my country than the laurels gathered on the battlefields of Bulgaria! It is pitiful that Europe should force a young and energetic State, which has shown its power and vitality in a bloody war, to cede a province. The Berlin Congress might return to Russia what the Treaty of Paris took away, but it wounds us deeply that our independence, achieved on the battlefield, should be made contingent upon the cession of Bessarabia, and much patience and moderation are necessary to allow such a course to be adopted. We shall, however, show the Powers that we know how to extricate ourselves with honour from the worst situations. "As soon as the Articles referring to Roumania became known, the greatest consternation arose, and even the most peaceful of the people declared they would rather not acquire independence at such a price. I convened a Council of Ministers and conferred with a few political leaders, advising the greatest care, since a hasty step might bring the country into extreme danger. Europe has need of peace and insists on it; it will not, therefore, be content with half measures, but will execute the resolutions of the Congress by force. After their first anger had been subdued, people here became more reasonable, and recognised that it was impossible to resist the whole of Europe.