ABSTRACT
The lack of progress in land reform and improved conditions for Armenians, and the ascendancy of reactionary elements within and without the CUP, had brought Armenian for federation (ARF)-CUP relations almost to the breaking point. The bureau believed that the ARF could either ally with the CUP or else contest the elections on its own. An alliance with the Itilaf would be unacceptable. It decided that locally it would work with the CUP. The Eastern Bureau met with the CUP branch in Erzerum and discussed security and the lands issue. The bureau again raised the issue of having the government arm village guards to protect Armenian villages. The ARF was happy that Russia was staying out of the fighting and leaving it to the Turks and Balkan peoples. The Peace Conference between the Balkan League and the Ottoman Empire commenced on December 16 and the negotiations continued into January.
