New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-13
OVERTURES FOR PEA CE.
PRECEDENTS FOR NEGOTIATIONS AFTER
PREVIOUS WARS.

Washington. June Fin view OF the growing bellei
that Spain Is seeking 20 initiate peace movement.
the preceden;s bearing on peace negotiations are
being looked into. They disclose many interesting
features the negotiations following wars IN winch
the United States has engaged.
The peace negotiations closing the Revolutionary
War came about in a romantic manner. Franklin
and Jag were living In Paris az the time haV'Hs
succeeded IN eniist!ng the active assistance or
France. Among Frankln's nelghbors was NINE
Britton with whom the famous s,atesman-scien'ist
formed a fas, friendship. Nine. Bri;,on spent the
summer at Nice where she met several English
noblenen among whom was Lord Cholmondeley
The latter on learning that she was trlend OF
Franklin asked for a note OF Introduction 10 hini
saying he would call and drink tea with him az
Passy The letter given, and FRANKLIN ana
Lord chomondeley brought together on
friendly terms
HIS Lordship stated that nc was an intimate
friend OF Lord Shelburne who had just become the
ruling Agure OF the British Ministry and II was sus
gested that Franklin write letter 70 Lord o"e-
burne which Lord Chomondeley undertook 10 de-
liver IN person. Acting on the suggestion FRANK
lin wrote a brie. letter expressing the wish tha' d
general peace" might be brought about but ne
vas careful 10 avoid bo,rayng any anxiety or hope
that the peace would Immediately take place FRANK
lin felt sure Of his ground. as political cohu!t'oi'
IN the United States We're much DISTURBED
Tho letter ~as welcome to Lord Shelburne as II
arrived just after serious upheaval IN the BRUSH
Parliament The Ministry % Lord North. which
had conducted the war narrowly escaped vote OF
consure and & gave place 10 a Ministry 'avoraole
10 the recognition OF American independence LORD
snelhurnc had not wished 10 Initiate the movement
hut Franklin letter paved tho and as result
formal negotiations were opened between FRANKLIN
and Lord shelburne leading to the recognition OF
American independence and the conclusion OF
neace with the American colonies.
The peace negotiations after the War OF 1872 were
NOR. formal in character. Soon after the war De-
gan President Madison took the first step toward
restoring peace and IN message 70 Congress on
November T. 1872. ne said;
Anxious % bridge the evils from which a state o,
war cannot 30 exempt lost no time, AFTER II mao
roe- Scrared IN conveying 70 the British Govern
rneni the terms on which rs progress might De d
rested
The terms proposed BY Madison were that o'rea'
prltaln vacAte the orders IN council on o!ocKaaes
and on the mpTessrnent % American sea'ne'' Inc
! movement came 70 naught
The Emperor of Russia took the next step 70 re-
store peace He nrst made proposition 70 JoAn
| Quincy Adams. American Minister 70 St Peters
! burg suggesting that Re would act as mediator
The proposition was also made 20 the State Depart
| ment AZ Washington through tho Russian Minis
,.r here Il was accepted by the United States and
| M,ssrs Bayard Galla,in and Adams received In
,;ruc,ons on April g. 1913 10 proceed 70 ST Peters
burg Their instructions began; Your first duiy
| VIII ne TO coNclNa" q lrdc" WIN 'f'As t'.'N'-''
| The terms ~ peace were The same as Madison had
previously specified. but these were Indispensable
/ conditions
/ Great britain declined the overture. however. and
| Lord Ca~tlcrcagh wrote 20 ;he State Department
suggesting direct negotiations. AccoTdlnsy Hehfy
/ CLAY and Jonathan Russo" were added TO the Peace
Commission receiving new Instructions January =
/ 1874 British commissioners were appointed ana me
/ Commission met A. Cihcnt August : The British
! ed four points the Americans three Among
inc british points that relating 20 the mamie
! nance ~ "A warship on the Great Lakes. which has
! since become established pracice ne peace
] Uurlug IN. Mexican War while hosIhtc- were
.f IN progress The chief clerk ~ the state Depart
| ment Nicholas +. Tris was sent 10 Mexico 10 open
| negotiations FOR peace. He was Instructed 70 de-
! ruand tho cessiou u NewMeXico and California
/ These terms were rejected by Mexico Thereupon
! the United states recalled Trist This caused much
! agitation in Mexico. as Il was feared the Mitea
| S'nfes would adopt very aggressive steps. Ilst
! had not acted on the recall. bat had remained IN
/ Mexico He succeeded as a result or the changed
/ feeling In making treaty % peace known as the
| A. The close % the Civil War there were no peace
| negotiations or treaty IN the usual sense. Being
| rebellion the Federal Government recognized no
power which Il could make a treaty. The sur
an Arrangement was made by which certain mill
! tary concessions were allowed by General Grant n
the surrerderinr armies Beyond this there were no
! formal peace treaties or agreement
| The precedent OF Frank.n's Informal peace over
lures suggests that II Spain IS unable 10 secure the
mediation os the European Powers she might enlls,
the service OF some friend who. In individual ca
! pnc,ty could take the initiative as Franklin did
That OF 1872 suggests that formal peace overtures
{ arc TO DE made through commissioners, duly in
structcd on the terms they can grant II inc prcce,
dent OF the Mexican War were followed. then one o!
the officials OF Spdins Foreign ONCE could come "a
! Washington and make personal overtures toward
I peace. The preceden;s show that there Is no nXed
procedure under international law, toward restor-