The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-01-31
Overtures Made to Germany
Becomes Subject of Debate
In Duma Commission
OPPOSITION Is STRONG;
AWAITS FULL VICTORY
Germans, French and British
Make Claims of Victories A
Result of Heavy Fighting
On Western Front

London. Jan 0.-A-report Hs--
ceived today from Petrograd declares
that certain exalted persouages, menu
bers of the Conservative party in Rus
STA, have made overtures to German,
with a view of concluding a separate
peace pact.
| SO much Importance is attached TO
the reports that the matter has been
under discussion by the budget ccm-
mission of the Duma. The discussion
related particularly to the policy or
| NJ. khorstoff. minister of the interior.
The open charge was made in tho
Duma by its president, NJ. Rodziankc,
that these exalted personages" were
working to this end.
NJ Rodzianko corroborated the re-
ports by declaring that ne had re-
Iceived a letter from the Princess
iWasilthikoff who was then in MOSCOW,
asking him to cooperate in the negdfi-
Iations. The president of the Duma
showed this letter to the minister OF
foreign affairs, NJ Sazanoff shortly
afterwards the princess went herself
| to Petrograd with view of carrying
out her projects In person.
+! NJ. Khorstoff admits that the prin-
cess was in Petrograd
| while 1t is true that she came he
said, "sne was Swallowed all the time
she was here by the government
secret police, Her position became so
| delicate that she was compelled TO
! quit the capital and retire to enc OF
her estates In South Russia.
In No Hurry To Finish War.
| I'VE shall not speak of peace until
Russia has achieved complete vie
tory. We are in no hurry to finish the
war, as the people are with US.
TN the Internal life of Russia, per-
| feet and permanent order must be
| restored and maintained. We shall
be obliged to crush any and all dis
eurbers of the peace. The government
must be very determined to adhere to
| this policy and sternly prevent any
! attempt at disorder. On this ground
we have refused to grant the necessary
authority of holding congresses to the
Transformation, Town League and the
War Industry Committee
| The latter part of the statement Of
| NJ khorstoff is considered significant.
The conservative element wants peace
| primarily, IL Is declared, because they
fear revolution IL imminent.
For some time past there have been
vague insinuations that the fortihca-
| tion of Petrograd was not undertaken
SO much for protection from the enemy
4
is amply provided with foodstuffs, the
movement OF troops and munitions has
seriously interfered with transporting
food TO the densely settled communi-
ties. AS a result. 1t is said there is =
great scarcity of food with accompany
ing high prices. There has been much
murmuring in consequence, and many
revolutionary threats.
Extend Rights of the Jews.
| NJ Khorstofr is said to be ambitious
Ito head the cabinet, and, Ii Is believed.
is making overtGres In many direc-
tions to win popularity with the
masses 1t was recently announced by
the minister of the interior that the
rights of the Jews will be extended.
Thy will be permitted to live in all
parts of Russia and to trade wherever
they desire except in Petrograd and
Moscow.
| In Poland, however, their rights will
| be dependent on the Poles.