A forgotten time
New book recounts first and only international peace conference on Canadian soil
ON APRIL 22, 1914, just months before Europe was plunged into a war that would later envelop the world, the United States invaded the Mexican port of Veracruz. A recent coup d’état in Mexico saw Victoriano Huerta take power—an event with which U.S. President Wilson was not very satisfied. As the continent held its breath, waiting for war to break out, an unexpected thing occurred: Argentina, Brazil, and Chile proposed to mediate peace negotiations. These negotiations, accepted and undertaken by all parties, took place in Canada.
Canada, having been chosen for its rigorous neutral character, hosted the first and only international peace negotiations to take place on its soil—peace negotiations of a Pan-American nature. Some months later, however, Huerta fled Mexico, and tensions dissipated. The “ABC negotiations” as they had come to be called were never brought to term, and the entire event was lost in history, forgotten by all.
Yet, it was not so for Michael Small, assistant deputy minister for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT). On Nov. 25, Michael Small presented his new book, The Forgotten Peace: Mediation at Niagara Falls, 1914 published by the University of Ottawa Press at an event hosted by the DFIAT.
Small first learned of the historically neglected event in a simple Spanish language learning book. As Small was practicing for a trip by reading a text on the Mexican Revolution, he came across the briefest of mentions of negotiations taking place in Canada. His interest was sparked.
“It was incredible to me that this had been forgotten,” said Small. “Nobody had ever heard of it.”
After extensive research, Small made sure that this vital, if small, part of history would not be forgotten again. The result is the latest addition to valuable research published with the University of Ottawa Press.
“Mediation is not only a science and a strategy, but also an art,” said Small, explaining why he chose to publish his book with the university. “All of these types of case studies tell you a lot. For a student, a case study will always be helpful.”
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Peter Kent was also present for Small’s presentation. According to Small, Kent read the book on the plane to Honduras where he was to participate in diplomatic mediation.
U of O international and public policy professor Don Hubert—also a former colleague of Small’s at DFAIT—played a significant role in inspiring the creation of Small’s book. Hubert was also present at the Nov. 25 book launch.
“Canada’s role on mediation since that time has been one of increasing engagement in mediation and conflict resolution, but our approach is still somewhat ad hoc and lacks strategic direction as well as cross-party political support,” Hubert said in an email to the Fulcrum.
While Canada’s role in the ABC negotiations may have been limited, Hubert still stressed the historical importance of these negotiations. He observed that “the negotiations were an interesting case of the United States accepting to participate in mediation led by a third party.
“[Small’s] presentation was an illuminating overview of the conflict between the United States and Mexico and the dynamics of the mediation efforts,” said Hubert.
Anyone interested in learning more or purchasing a copy of The Forgotten Peace: Mediation at Niagara Falls, 1914 may find a copy at most bookstores, or through visiting the U of O Press website at www.press.uottawa.ca.
