Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-12-18
THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
Continued from Page One.)

minimizing it, will either be a complete
failure or productive of agreements
which may surpass in Importance the
achievements of all other diplomatic
gatherings since the congress of Ber-
lin in 1873.
Not only will the ambassadorial con-
ference exercise powerful influence on
the decision of the peace conference in
st. James palace, as Turkey, as well as
the Balkan states, desires to have the
support of the Powers; but in the event
that the Turco- Balkan understanding is
not satisfactory to the Powers, the pres
ent ambassadorial conference will indi-
cate how to correct the decisions arrived
at just as the Berlin congress modified
the boundaries of the Balkans arranged
five months before in the treaty of San
Stefano between Russia and Turkey.
At the meeting, today, the greatest az
tention centered on Count Mensdorff the
Austro-Hungarian ambassador, and
Benckendorff, the Russian ambassador.
Their colleagues jokingly put to the for
mer a question as to whether he had
brought from Vienna peace or war. Count
Mensdorff, twisting his well-cropped and
waxed moustache, answered with a smile:
"Peacei Peace! adding in Latin "Sicut
in quantum" cup to a certain peint').
Both he and Count Benckendorff denied
the correctness of the reports describing
the ornaments of their respective couu-
tries, which they declare do not have
any alarming character and do not sur
pass prudential precautions rendered ne
cessary by the cIoseness to the theatre
of war"
1.-THE ambassadorial conference may ac-
quire a still created Importance if, as
might happen Thursday, the conference
at st. James palace is unable to con-
tinue at work owing to the difficulties be-
tween the Turks and Greeks on the ques
ton of the armistices. as the Turks might
not at that time have received instruc-
tons from Constantinople on the subject
The general impression among the del
egates is that this question will be ami
cably solved either by finding formula
allowing Greece to adhere to the armis-
tice or by Turkey consenting to treat
with her, leaving the question of the
armistics in allegiance. The Turkish dele
cation declared judicially that the Otto
man government could treat only with
Bulgaria, Servia and Montenegro on the
basis of the terms of the armistice, that
they had no official knowledge that Greece
intended to participate in the peace me-
gotiations. and that only at today's sit
ting did the intention of the Greeke be-
come officially known.
Meanwhile the Turks proposed to treat
with the three states for which they had
full powers. and asked them to formulate
beir A n cd
ensued, and the Ottoman proposal was
refused, for the reason that the four
states form one bloc
The Turkish delegation added that their
instructions were to proceed without de-
lay to the conclusion of an honorable
peace
The result of the sitting was telegraph
ed to Constantinople and will be taken
up for consideration by the Council of
Ministers there. Wednesday.
Dr. Daneff, the president of the Bulga-
rian Chamber of Deputies, who is the
most brilliant among the heads of the del
egates, in speaking on possible American
mediation said;
IF an understanding between the Bal
kan states and Turkey is impossible, not
withstanding the friendly advices which
certainly will come from the conference
of ambassadors, / believe the American
Intervention will be more opportune and
will be received as quite justifable on
account of American interests i'm the Bal
kans and Turkey. which are not lacking
and have sufficient Importance to entitle
Washington to offer it's good offices for
an impartial settlement of the conflict
10 fat hos
mercial firms maritime lines and mis-
sionaries throughout the Balkan states
and Turkey. Besides she has with Bulga-