Kuyper was the first Dutch politician who, following the example of British and French politicians, offered to serve as a mediator in a serious social conflict. Specifically, he offered to conciliate a serious and protracted conflict between the Amsterdam Jeweler’s Association and the General Dutch Diamond Workers Union. The mediation did not get further than telegrams, however. In the first of five telegrams to appear in print, Kuyper offered his services on February 15, 1904. In a telegram of March 17, he repeated the offer and stipulated March 26 as the deadline. After receiving declarations of willingness from both parties, Kuyper sent a third telegram on March 18, agreeing to move the deadline to March 29 if necessary. Kuyper subsequently sent a fourth telegram on March 23 outlining the procedure and the conditions for the mediation. The telegram also stated that if agreement had not been reached by April 1, Kuyper would decide the issue on his own and return a verdict before April 4 at the latest. Due to the possibility that Kuyper might render an arbitrary decision, the Amsterdam Jeweler’s Association withdrew and the mediation attempt failed (see 1904.10).