PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1736, 10 July 1917, Page 4

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS

IX OTHER WARS. In the ease of most, though not all, of the wars since the beginning of the nineteenth century, the first step towards peace has come through the oiler of good offices by soma neutral Power. In most instances good offices have not been formally asked for by the belligerents. In

the ease of the Crimean Avar, the first step avus taken through the interposition of Austria, avlio had signed the Treaty of Vienna, to Avhich England and France also wore parties in 1854, but had not actually participated in hostilities. Actuated by anxiety with regard to Her own interests, she ascertained the minimum terms demanded by Great Britain and France, and transmitted them to Russia, adding the strongest recommendations for their acceptance. Russia made counter proposals, but eventually agreed to the terms. Still another form of intervention is Avhat may be*called authoritative intervention by some or all of the great European PoAvers in a Vontlict between lessor belligerents, as illustrated by the Greco-Turkish war of 1872, the Greco-Turkish war of 1897, and the first Balkan War, 1912-13. In the Spanish-American War the good offices of France were instrumental in bringing about negotiations. In the Russo-Japanese War the parties were brought together by President Roosevelt, but he avus most careful to disoAvn any intention of playing the part of mediator. The American Civil War, FrancoPrussian War,the war between Italy and Abyssinia, the Boer War, and (he Turco-Ilalian War, Avere ended without the interposition of any third party. The length of time between the first step and the final signing of the definitive -treaty has generally been several months. In the Crimean War the conference lasted from February 25th to March 30th; in the Spanish-American, from October Ist to December I.oth; in the RussoJapanese War, from August 9th to September sth. In no case haA'o hostilities been resumed after serious negotiations have begun.