1-150-764 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'Neutrality Under Difficulties', 1876. The Conservative Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, sits comfortably in a chair, whilst Britannia urges him to look up from his book at the fighting in the Bulgaria. This relates to the recent conflicts involving Turkey that had culminated in a Bulgarian uprising. In reply to a question in the House, Disraeli had said that the government had not received any official confirmation of the atrocities apparently being perpetrated in Bulgaria. Certainly, Disraeli was reluctant to become involved, being more interested in protecting British national interests. However, as information continued to filter through, it was plain that in the conflict, massacres of innocent civilians was being carried out on both sides. From Punch, or the London Charivari, August 5, 1876.