SIX DAYS' PEACE MAKING.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 251, 27 November 1914, Page 3 (Supplement)

SIX DAYS' PEACE MAKING.

WITH A COUNTRY THAT WANTED .NO PEACE.

THE AMERICAN FARCE,

PRESIDENT WILSONS VAIN EFFORT,

The thoughts of very few people are turned at the present time upon the possibilities of pence. The war now in progress i* not one for the settlement of a frontier line nor for the revenge of an insult offered. At one time it may have been confined to a struggle oi that nature, but trom the day when Great Britain declared her intention of participating it was no longer possible io look upon it in any such light. Nevertheless, overtures have been matte uy one country to bring about a cessation of hostilities, but without effect. President Wilson made one abortive attempt on his own account to figure in the role of mediator, but failed mos. knominiously. He did not realise the tact that America was as much concerned with the struggle as any oi the nations actually participating in the war on the Continent, and for that teason, if for no other, was in no position to play the role of arbitrator. Following upon this formal effort at effecting an understanding, there was another attempt made to test the feelma of the belligerents, emanating this time from an unofficial source. Again the attempt failed for the same rea-

The second attempt took the form of an informal inquiry from the tinted States Government a» *° whether Germany desires to discuss terms of peace v. ith her foes. CHItONOLOGY OF MOVEMENT. The chronology of the peace movement was revealed-in Washington on the night of September 12. The story of the seven days of peace ta 1 :;, as told by some of the principals, is substantially as follows: "Saturday, September o— Count yon Bernstorff. the German Ambassadoi, dined with James Speyer, the banker, at the lattea-'s residence in isew lorK.Oscar Straus, American member ot llio Haeue tribunal and former Cabinet oiiicer, was present. "During the evening a* the conversation turned to the subject of peace in Europe, the German Ambassador said that while he had no advices from his Government «nce leaving Berlin, he recalled a conversation wi:h the Imperial Chancellor there, in which the latter said he -bt'lioved the Emperor would be willing to discuss measures to peace through mediation. "Straus immediately asked, the beiman Ambassador for permission to repeat the conversation to Secretary Bryan at Washington. Count von Bernsco'rff gave his consent. "Siftiday September 6.—Mr. Straus arrived at Washington and vent to the homo of Secretary Bryan, where they secretly conferred. The Secretary com. municated later with President Wilson. It was decided to get the German Ambassador's consent to forward a report of the incident to Ambassador Gerard for discussion with the German Foreign Orace. In the meantime, Straus was advised to talk the situation over with the British and French Ambassadors. He saw each that day. "Monday, September 7.—1 he German Ambassador reached Washington and conferred privately with Bryan. As a iresult of tb e conference the ecm> Uirv cabled Ambassador Gerard to convey to Emperor William an inquiry from the American Government as to wrcther he desired to confirm the statement reported to have been made by him to the Imperial Chancellor and repeated by the Chancellor to Count von Bernstoiif in private conversation "Copies of the message to Ambassador Gerard were sent by Secretary Brvan to Ambassador Page at London and Ambassador Herrick at lam. Meanwhile Mr. Straus had talked wit), the British and French Ambassadors, boh of whom said they could make no definite statement from their Governments on the subject of peace. -They were acquainted by -Mr. btraas with what had occurred at the dinner in New York. Both the * ranch and British Ambassadors reported the incident unofficially to their respective ioreign Offices. • "'Tuesday. September 8.-feeerelary Brvan told the British Ambassador. Sir Cecil Spring Bice, what had occurred ui detail and learned that the Ambassador similarly had made inquiry ot bis Government to learn its attitude toward peace. ~, ' " Wednesday, September ( J.—sir L.<l- - Grey discussed with Ambassador Page the inquiry wlnc.i the latter hud received from Secretary Bryan. "On the same day Sir Edward Orc-y cabled the British Ambassador that as Ciieat Britain. France and Bus>ia uaa in the preceding week agreed not to make peace without common consent, the position of the Triple Entente was unanimous on the question ot terms. Sir Edward said what the powers wanted was no temporary truce, but a permanent peace in E-Jrope, so that the world could be ensured againsc the sudden outbreak of war after Germany had recouped herself. "The British Foreign Secretary add<xl moreover, that Kngland had troin the tirit tried to avoid war, aud wanted peace but before the subject could Le considered seriously, definite terms would have to be submitted. Giea Britain Sir Edward point.d ouv. would insist that Belgium W fully compensated |, y Germany for her losses. Tins inlorluition was communicated to becretai.\ Brvan by tbe British Ambassador. •• Thursday, September 10. The Trench Ambassador called on Secretary Bryan, and, it is understood, discussal ,hc point of view of France. Ambassa,lor Herrick coin.cidentallv reported the Ernest wish of France that there might i'kj peace but pointed out that unal the French had driven the invaders from their territory and Belgium had been compensated, terms of peace could not be negotiated. "During the afternoon Ambassadu PWs report of his conversation with ll Edward Grey also reached tl.a White House. Great. Britain aceord- ;, "to Ambassador Page, was dcerminrf to make no peace until German J lilarKW I.nd heeu iTiwhwl. because ..I t ,Jnnacr to the world, civilisation. ). the same day came personal me„*es from Emperor William and Pr*M. Ant Poii.-care of France concerning the ,' ISP of dum-dum bullets." And the war still went on.