 Does Earth want peace with Karn?
The Karna considered this to be fully neutral territory, and Earth couldn't argue the point very well. The Karna pointed out that the Saarkkad sun was just as far from Karn as it was from Earth, that it was only a few million miles from a planet which was allied with Earth, and that it was unfair for Earth to take so much time in preparing for an armistice. It wouldn't have been a problem at all if Earth and Karn had fostered the only two intelligent races in the galaxy. So Earth had to get a delegation to meet with the Karna representatives within the three-day limit or lose what might be a vital point in the negotiations.
 The Earth is ready for peace, as interstellar war is costly.
 The Earth is ready for peace, as interstellar war is costly.  Earth needs to eliminate the Karna to protect the galaxy.  The Earth does not want peace with the planet Karn. The Karna are an evil race.  The Earth wants peace but doesn't trust the Karna to hold up their end of the bargain.