PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVII, Issue 9051, 23 July 1917, Page 3

PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.

IN OTHER WARS

In the case of most, though not all, of the wars since the beginning of the nineteenth century, the first step towards peace has come through the offer of good offices of-some .neutral Power. In most instances good offices have not been formally asked for by the belligerents. In the case of the Crimean War, the first step was taken through the interposition of Austria, who had signed the Treaty of Vienna, to which England and France also were 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 what may be called authoritative intervention by some or all of the great European Powers in a conflict between lesser belligerents, as illustrated by the Greco-Turkish War of 1827, 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 was most careful to disown any intention of- playing the part of mediator. The American Civil War, Franco-Prussian War, the war between Italy and Abyssinia, the Boer War, and the Tureo-ltalian War, were 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 AVar the conference lasted from February 25 to March 30 ; in the Spanish-American, from October 1 to December 10; in the Russo-Japanese War, from August 9 to September 5. In no caso have hostilities been resumed after serious negotiations have begun.