The Peace Of London.

New York Times 100 years ago today, June 1, 1913:
    The Balkan War began, officially, Oct. 8, 1912; it was finished, in the same way, by the signing of the peace treaties in London, May 30. Though short, the war was fierce, cruel, and in its results more effective than any other recent war. Those results are the practical exclusion of the Turk from Europe, and the formation of a new and formidable Power in Southeastern Europe. For though they have been quarreling among themselves lately, there is no doubt that the Balkan States will be united in the future by their common interests and form a new empire including the lands desolated by centuries of Moslem rule, which will now enter upon a restored and vigorous life.
    The war was of a spectacular quality, its history will abound in tales of personal heroism, the suffering on both sides was great, the slaughter was terrible, and the horrors of conflict were increased by the ravages of epidemic disease. The treaty of peace, however, was signed in the most practical and businesslike way. There was no fuss, there were few formalities. The various delegates sat by a long table and affixed their signatures to the five copies, with as little show of emotion as they would have made in signing deeds for the transfer of lands, which, indeed, was what they were doing. Though the treaty is called "preliminary," and the Servians and Greeks have rejected a clause which made formal ratification needless, it is safe to say that a great war is over, and that the Peace of London restores peace throughout Europe.