The herald., 1898-06-08
If SPAIN WANTS PEACE
SHE MUST FIND SOMEBODY TO
MAKE ovERTURES
SENORAS ARE NOT LACKING
To Serve Spain as Well as Mime. Brit
ton Gave Aid to Franklin and
America
Associated Press Special Wire

Associated freSS special wire
| WASHINGTON, June I'm view of the
growing belief that Spain is seeking to ni-
tiate peace movement, the presidents
barring on peace negotiations are being
| looked into. They disclose many interest
| ing features in the negotiations following
wars in which the United States has en-
gagged. The peace negotiations closing the
| revolutionary war came about in a romantic
manner. Franklin and Jay were living in
Paris at the time, having succeeded IN en-
listing the active assistance of France.
Among Franklin's neighbors was a Ma
dame Britton, with whom the famous
statesman-scientist formed a fast friend
ship. Nine Britton spent the summer at
Nice. where she met several English no.
blemen, among whom was Lord Cholmond-
ely. The latter on learning that she was
friend Of Franklin's. asked for note Of in
| PRODUCTION to him, saying he would call
and drink tea with him at Passey. The
letter was given and Franklin and Lord
Cholmondely were brought together on
friendly terms. HIS lordship stated that
he was an intimate friend of Lord Shell
burne, who had just become the ruling fig
ure of the British ministry, and it was sug-
eested that Franklin write a letter to Lord
Shelburne, which Lord Chomondely under
took to deliver in person. Acting upon the
suggestion, Franklin wrote brief letter ex-
pressing the wish that general peace"
might be brought about. But he was care
full to avoid betraying any anxiety or hope
that peace would Immediately take place.
Franklin felt sure of his ground, as political
conditions in the United States were much
disturbed. The letter was very welcome to
Lord Shelburne as it arrived just after
serious upheaval in the British Parliament.
The Ministry of Lord North, which had con-
Quoted the war, narrowly escaped a vote Of
censure and 1t. gave, place to Ministry
favorable to the recognition of American
independence. Lord Shelburne had not
wished to initiate the movement but Frank
Inns letter paved the way, and as a result
formal negotiations were opened between
Franklin and Lord Shelburne, leading to
the recognition of American independence
and the conclusion of peace with the Amer-
can colonies
The peace negotiations after the war of
1872 were more formal in character After
the war began President Madison took the
first step toward restoring peace, and in
message to Congress on November 4, 1872,
he said:
Anxious to bridge the evils from which
state of war cannot be exempt, lost no
time after it had been declared in convey
ing to the British government terms on
which its progress might be assisted"
The terms proposed by Madison were
that Great Britain vacate the orders in
Council on blockades and on the Impress
ment of American seamen. The movement
came to naught.
The Emperor of Russia took the next
step to restore peace. He first made a
proposition. suggesting to John Quincy Ad-
ans, our Minister to st. Petersburg,
that he would act as mediator. The
proposition was also made to the State
Department at Washington through the
Russian Minister here. 1t was accepted by
the United States and Messrs Bayard,
Gallatin and Adams received instructions
on April Is, 1913, to proceed to ST. Peters
burg. Their instructions began:
Your first duty will be to conclude
peace with Great Britain"
The terms of peace were the same as
Madison had previously specified, but these
were not indispensable conditions
Great Britain declined the overture, how
ever, and Lord Castlereagh wrote to the
state department suggesting direct negO-
tjations. Accordingly Henry Clay and JON
athan Russell were added to the peace
commission, receiving new instructions
January 2S, 1914. British commissioners
were appointed and the commission met
at Client August Sth. The British present.
ed four points, the Americans three Among
the British points was that relating to the
maintenance of a warship on the Great
Lakes, which has since become an estab-
lished practice. The peace treaty was
finally agreed to December "a, 1914
During the Mexican war, while hostili-