Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-24
TREATY OF GHENT
IS A CENTURY
OLD
OLD CHRISTMAS PRESENT MARK
ED BEGINNING OF 200
YEARS OF PEACE

christmas present 100 years ago was
the treaty of Ghent, which put an end
to the two years conflict with Eng
land known as the war of 1912. The
treaty. Of peace was signed in the lit
tIe Holland town of Client on Christ
mas Eve. December "a, 1914, and 1t
was heareily well Omedi in England
az in the United States.
Although one Of the signers OF the
peace contract is now at war IN the
greatest European struggle of ailtime'
the day was not passed without ex
change of Fluctuations between the
Leads Of the two English-speaking ma
tions. The centenary was a big day
in Diplomatic circles, for much has
heen learned of treaties since the 1T
tie gathering in Ghent adjusted the
differences of the war of century
ago. The treaty of Client has stood
the test of time. Under it have been
settled many disputes Of the greatest
Importance to the two big nations
It is hailed as a great landmark in in
ternational intercourse.
News did not travel so rapidly
hundred years ago as it does today
with the facilities of the cable an
the wireless, and instead of r.
az their gift on Christmas morning, Il
was six weeks later before the inhab7
itants Of the Atlantic coast cities
learned that the war which had ruin
cd American commerce was ended
The first news of the signing OF the
treaty was brought by Charles Carol
nne of the secretaries of the American
commissioners. who arrived in New
York on the British sloop of war Fay-
orite, February IL.
at has come" said one of the news
papers of the day, on Monday, Febru-
ary 13, for even treaty of peace did
not bring out Sunday extra, am
the public expressions of tumultuous
ioy and gladness that spontaneously
burst forth from all ranks and degrees
of people on Saturday evening
without stopping to inquire the
conditions, evlnced how really sick
at heart they were of war, that
threatened to wiring from them the re-
mining means Of subsistence.
"The pblic e1hilaration showed lit
self in the illumination of most Of the
windows in the lower part Of Broad
way in less than 20 minutes after MT.
Carol arrived at the City Hotel. The
street itself was illumined by candles
carried in the hands of a large con-
course of the opulace; the city re-
sounded in all parts with the joyful
cry Of "A peace! A peace!" and IT
was for nearly two hours difficult to
make ones way through unnumbered
crowds of persons"
ut is wonderful to see the change
produced in a few hours in the city
Of New York." was the comment a
day later. "In no place has the war
been more felt nor proved more dis
astrous, putting US back in our growth
at least ten years, and no place in
the United States will more experience
the reviving blessings OF peace"
The new spread from town to town
until 1t reached the furthermOst settle
ments north, south and west. Cele
brations were held to mark the arriv-
al Of the gratifying news, and the bit
terness which had characterized the
feelings of Americans toward their
parent country at once turned to joy
Plans were made in New York for q
celebration and illumination on Wash
ington's birthday, February %, but
owing to a severe snowstorm the fes
tivities were postponed until February
27. John Jacob Astor illuminated his
mansion, which stood where the AS
tor House, a big hotel, was later erect
ed. city hall, which had recently beer
opened, presented glorious appear
ance. Figure to yourself the most
magnificent building in the United
States in one blaze Of light from base
ment to the top Of the cupola, all ar
ranged with taste and in perfect or
der, and you have faint conception
of the reality wrote q New York
editor The Shakespeare Tavern, kept
by the famous actor, Hopkinson, show
ed figures Of Columbia and Brittania
shaking hands. This peace celehra
tiOn was long remembered in New
York. for nothing SO elaborate hat
ever been done before.
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