Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-26
SETTLING OUR GREAT WARS.
Time Consumed In Negotiating
Treaties of Peace.
J,aslie's Weekly,


I,eslie's Weekly
Some impatience was manifested in the
United States a few weeks ago at what was
supposed to be unreasonable delay In finish
ing the treaty with Spain. In reality,
greater speed was shown In negotiating tnat
treaty than in any other peace convention
in which the United States participated. the
last battle of the revolution, that or YORK
town, had been fought more than thirteen
months before the preliminary treaty Oh
Paris of November 80, 1882 was framed, ana
over nine months more elapsed before the
definite treaty, that of September, o, 1893,
was finished. Four months and sixteen DAYS
were consumed in framing the treaty OF
Ghent signed on December "a, 1914. Trlst
was over five months in trying to get Mex
leo to agree to the American terms. Inc
Spanish American peace commission nao its
first meeting on October 1 and the treaty
was signed on December 10, just two months
and ten days later.
The treaty of 1888, by which England ac-
knowledged the independence OF the united
States, was ratified by the confederation
congress on the day that 1t was presented
In six days the senate disposed OF the treaty
of 1914, which brought the second war WIN
England to a close. The treaty of 1S4S, at
onized by several elements and was not dis
nosed Of by the senate until seventeen days
after its presentation had expired. The
spanish- American treaty OF 1898 was before
the senate thirty-three days, or almost twice
nc long as any other convention of It's KIND
in American history.
One circumstance connected with the re-
cent treaty shows the change in methods OF
communication which took place throughout
the world since the United States had It's
nearest previous war with a great power.
Owing to the five hours difference of time
between the two cities, the signing or the
treaty of peace in Paris at S:45 on Decem-
ber 10. 1898, was known in New YORK over
four hours earlier in local time. There was
no armistice at the time the peace commits
sioners were at work during the war OF
1912. and the battle of New Orleans, fought
on January s, 1915, took place fifteen days
after the treaty of peace had been signed.
Just fifty-two days after the treaty was
signed or on February Ia, 1914, the news
of the peace reached President Madison at
Washington. If there had been an ocean
telegraph at that time the battle OF New
Orleans the only really creditable military
episode of the war of 1872 on the American
side, would not have taken place, jackson
would never have been president OF the
United States and the reconstruction ana
naturalization of the democratic party,
which his election brought, would not nave
come SO soon, If at all. Indeed, an ocean
telegraph in those days would undoubtedly
have prevented the war, for, three Gays
after congress declared war; and before
blow had been struck, England revoked It's
orders in council, which were the principal
causes of the war. The history of the United
States would have been changed in several
important particulars If the communication
between Europe and America had been as
close at that time as it is now.