Peace Treaties.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 29, Issue 48, 22 June 1917, Page 2

Peace Treaties.

HOW THEY ARE DRAWN UP. . When the war comes to an end a treaty is signed, sealed, and- delivered, as between the various belligerents. This is a most imposing document, written by hand throughout, sealed with many seals, and bound about with green silk ribbon. Following the usual custom, each copy will begin with the words, “In the Name of the Most Holy and Undivided Trinity.’’ Should, however, Turkey be one of the signatory Powers, this formula will be altered to “In the Name of Allah the Almighty God,’’ in the copy allotted to her. At least as many original copies as there are signatory Powers are signed and sealed, while several certified copies are signed, but not sealed, for the sake of convenience. The original copies are securely locked up in the State archives of the different countries ; the certified copies are used for printing from and for reference.

Peace treaties are not written straight across the page, or pages, like ordinary documents. They are written in parallel columns, one in English, the next in French, the next in Italian, German, Russian, and so on, according to the number of languages spoken by the peoples of the signatory Powers. The text of each of these columns is an asact translation of the text of all the other columns, and the utmost pains is taken in the selection of words that will convey identical shades of meaning , The monarch® of the signatory powers do not afllt tbc.r signatures or seals to the peace treaties entered into by them. This important formality ijs carried out by specially accredited Peace Commissioners.