The Oskaloosa herald., 1912-12-19
CHANCES Of PEACE
NOW SEEM REMOTE
WIDE GULF SEPARATES TERMS
PROPOSED BY ALLIES.
MAY ASK UNITED STATS TO AID
Only Great Power That Would Be Ac-
cePtapie, an. Only One Not Inter-
ested-The Portsmouth Con-
ference is Cited.


London, Dec. 1.-THE preliminaries
of the peace conference were com
pleted today and apparently the Greek
difficulty regarding the signing of the
al mistice has been surmounted. Ey-
erything is in readiness for the actual
negotiations to begin tomorrow.
So wide is the divergence of the
claims of the respective Balkan allies
and Turkey that there is little pros.
pect of an early termination of the
conference. Moreover, Christmas,
when no sittings will be held, will
mean the loss of couple of days.
The Turkish and Bulgarian dele.
gates. had another prolonged informal
meeting at o'clock last evening at
which it is reported they discussed
Adrianople.
The first encounter between the al
lies and the Turks will come tomor.
row. A climax will be reached when
both sides exchange their respective
propositions for the conclusion of
peace.
A comparison of the terms of the
allies with those of Turkey is suffi.
cient to show the immense gulf sepa-
rating them.
Even admitting that many conces-
sions are made on both sides, an Ill
innate understanding appears eX.
tremely difficult. Because of this the
idea of mediation has been put for
ward. All the delegates, however, de-
clare emphatically that they know
hi hnI nd thaN
is extraneous to their mission here,
which is limited to the negotiation of
peace, without even the power of con-
Guiding it. For the conclusion of
peace either they or others must re-
ceive the authorization of their re-
spectiVe governments.
The delegates did not refuse to dis
cuss the question unofficially, and re-
marked that it would be impossible
for Russia or Austria to mediate, as
both of these powers are too interest.
ed in the settlement one way or an
other; nor could Geramny, because
she is bound to Austria, nor could It.
ally because of the recent war between
that country and Turkey. There on
ly remained England and France
which might be acceptable to both
parties, but their selection might give
umbrage to Germany and Austria.
American Ambassador Rockhill, rep
resenting country without territor-
ial or other aspirations in the Otto
man empires was the main instrument
in convincing the porte of the use
lessness of resistance and the advisa-
bility of coming TO terms with Italy.
The conference of the ambassadors
which will begin tomorrow, is called
among diplomats the clearing house"
as they are expected to agree on many
questions which have arisen through
the new situation in the Balkans.
These questions will then be practi-
caly solved when they come up for
discussion at the future conference
when the new map of eastern Europe
will be definitely settled.
Ii was pointed out that the only
great power absolutely disinterested
and impartial is the United States and
that If it were impossible to bring
about something of the same interven-
ton which in 1905 led to the Ports
mouth conference and the conclusion
of peace between Japan and Russia,
this might lead to actual mediation.
This would not be the first time
that action on the part of the United
States has made itself felt in a mat.
ter concerning Turkey. Unofficial in
PREVENTION by the United States had
beneficent effect in the Turco-ltalian
war last June.
The Turkish ENJOYS at the peace
conference were angered at the pres
pnce of Greek ENJOYS, while Greek SOL
diers and sailors are still attacking
Turkish soldiers and threatened to
break up the peace conference today
and return home. The other allies
persuaded them to remain until Thurs
day. In the meantime the Turks are
to communicate with Constantinople
and receive further instructions.
The Greek fleets were again engag-
ed in battle today at the entrance of
the Dardanelles, according to a dis
patch received here. The report
came while the peace conference was
in session today, and coupled with the
advices of the naval battle yesterday
will probably, increase the friction be-
tween the Turkish and Greek peace
delegates.
The Bulgarians held a conference
and diplomats and military men did
not think the outlook for peace was
very bright, and say that unless Tur-
key cedes them territory they will
telegraph to Sofia to renew the at
tacks on Adrianople. II is likely to
be some time before peace actually Is
brought about.