The weekly soliphone., 1916-12-08

of the war; comes today in the pub
sian premier, Alexander Trepoff
that by an agreement concluded in
1915 and subsequently adhered to-
by Italy the allies definitely estab
lished Russias right to CONSTANT
nople and the Straits. The existence
of this agreement has been for a
long time alleged, but never before
was it thus publicly and formally
admitted.
DUMA IS REASSEMBLED.
Petrograd, via London, Dec. 2
The eagerly awaited reassembling
of the duma, after suspension for
ten days by imperial decree, took
place today, without any promise
of a final settlement of the dispute
| between the government and the
representatives of the people, which
| lost nothing of its acuteness dur
ing the interim. The leaders of
the duma themselves said before the
meeting that they were wholly un-
informed as to the attitude adopt
ed by the government, and did not
look for any immediate clearing of
| the political atmosphere.
The Semiofficial News Agency
says Premier Trepoff read a proc
lamation announcing officially that
Ian agreement concluded by Russia
France and Great Britain in 1915
and later approved by Italy, 'es-
tablished in definite manner the
right of Russia to the straits and
Constantinople."
Premier Trepoff's announcement
is quoted by the news agency as
follows:
For more than thousand years
Russia has been reaching southwark
toward a free outlet on the open
sea This age-long dream, cherish
pie, now is ready for realization.
From the beginning of the
war wishing to spare human lives
and suffering, we and our allies did
out utmost to restrain Turkey from
mad participation in hostilities.
Turkey received formal assurances,
guaranteeing her in exchange for
neutrality, the integrity of her ter
ritory and independence, and also
comforting on her certain privileges
and advantages. These efforts were
vain. Turkey surreptitiously at
tackled us and thus sealed her own
doom.
I'VE then concluded an agree
ment with our allies, which estab-
fishes in the most definite manner
the right of Russia to the straits
and Constantinople Russians
should know for what they are
shedding blood, and, in accord with
our allies, announcement of this
agreement is made today from this
tribune"
Absolute agreement on this
point is firmly established among
that after she has obtained sover-
eign possession of a free passage in
to the Mediterranean Russia will
grant freedom of navigation for the
Roumanian flag, which now not for
the first time floats in battle side
by side with the flag of Russia.
81 thought it my duty not to
conceal from you the difficulties
and sacrifices which we have still
to endure to bring the present
war to a victorious conclusion. but
no difficulty and no sacrifice will
stop Russia and her brave allies on
the path of reconstruction and con-
lsoldation.
"A bright future will be the her
itage of all nations fighting for a
just and holly cause.
Our heroic troops and fleet are
doing their great work without
pause. The first task which falls on
the rest of us is to devote all our
strength mad every hour of time to
productive work. Russia needs the
lcommon labor of every one, based
on regular distribution, according to
individual capability. 1t is the pa
triotic duty of every one, not to
undermine the cOuntry's power, but
to do his utmost to strengthen it.
The history of the world has never
known so decisive a moment. We
must organize all the power of the
nation and hurl it against the enc
my. Nothing will resist that force.
Remember that, however cruel
the enemy blows may be, the final
victory is ours. 1t is surely APP
preaching us. Let us march united
to meet it."
Premier Trepoff made the follow
ing declaration concerning the Rus
sian policy in refard to the Polish
question::
lone part of the task before us
is to reconquer and recover the
kingdom of Poland, temporarily de-
tached by force of arms. But that