The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-11-28
RUSSIAN PEACE PLANS
BOLSIEVIKI WANT ALL NATIONS
TO QUIT.
TrOtzky PrOletariat OF Allied and Bel.
ligcrcnt Countries Will Bring End to
War.

oIdi DuhHOHIH, COmmander- In cnleI
OF the Russian army, to open nego-
tiations for an armistice with the ene-
my commanders. the Associated Press
today interviewed Leon Trotzky, the
Bolsheviki foreign minister. Trotzky
emphatically declared that the SOL
diers and workmen's government was
against separate peace with Ger
many. He voiced his conviction that
Russias initiative in offering peace
will be supported by the proletaria.
of all countries. allied or belligeren.,
which will make impossible con-
tinuation Of the war even if the gov
ernments do not accept the offer.
What are the plans and inten-
tions Of your government" the cor-
respondent inquired.
THE plans and intentions Of the
government are outlined in the pro.
gram Of the Bolsheviki party to
which the All-Russian cong, ess
of soldiers and workmen's delegates
entrusted the formation Of q soldiers
and workmen's government" the for
eign minister answered.
First there will be immediate pub.
lication Of all secret treaties and the
abolition of secret diplomacy.
Second. an offer Of an immediate
armistice on all fronts for conclusion
Of q democratic peace.
Third. the transfer of all lands to
the peasants.
Fourth, the establishment Of state
control of industries through the
medium Of organized workmen and
employees; the naturalization of the
most important branches Of industry
Fifth, the delivery Of all authority
to local soldiers and workmen's dcpu-
ties.
Sixth. the convocation of a con-
stituent assembly which will WELD re-
forms through the medium Of the SOL
diers and worlSmen's deputies and not
through the old bureaucracy OH an
appointed date. 10;
'"The offer of an Immediate peace
already has been made. The decree
transferring the land to the peasants
has been issued.
Power has been assumed by the
soldiers and workmen's deputies in
most of the important places"
What will the government do if
Russia's allies refuse TO enter into ne
gotiations for peace?" the cores.
pondent asked.
IF the allied governments do no.,
support the policy of a democratic
peace" Trotzky replied, 1.-The allied
peoples will support us against their
governments. Our international policy
is calculated not for capitalistic di :
plomacy. but for the support of the
working masses
Does the government think a sep
arate peace with Germany is possible
in the existing circumstances"
I'VE are against a separate peace
with Germahy-we are for n universal
peace with the European nations"
What will the government do if
Germany refuses to negotiate for
peace-+will 1t continue the war;" was
the next question.
I'VE rely on the German army and
the working classes to make a on
tinuation of the war impossible"
Trotzky replied. 'If, however, our
frank and honest offers Of peace meet
no response, we would declare q rev.
war against German impe-
riallsm. we would mobilize all our
forces confederate large supplies and
prosecute the war as energetically as
we did the revolution. But we have
every ground to think that our offer
OF peace will make impossible a con-
tinuation Of the war on all fronts"
What is the country's attitude to-
ward governmental changer"
"All the bourgeoise is against us
The greater part Of the intellectuals is
against us or hesitating, awaiting n
final outcome.
The working class is wholly with
us. The army is with u.s. The peas
ants with the exception Of exploiters
are with us\
The soldiers and workmen's gov
ernment is a government of work
ing men, soldiers and peasants
against the capitalists and land own
ers"
III is true that the government
VIII publish the secret treaties" was