Evening star., 1917-05-27
RUSSIAN PEACE PROPOSALS
MAY SPLIT CENTRAL POWERS

1t would be a very great mistake to dis
miss as merely visionary the demand OF
the Russian revolution that there should
be world peace and that this world peace
should be based upon the principle Of no
annexation and no indemnity It is true
that at the moment this proposal finds
hearing only in Russia, and is rejected by
Germany and by the allied nations alike.
although for very different reasons. But
the situation may be altogether changed
II winter comes without a decision on
either side or any unnistakable evidence
Of the approach Of a decision.
We have seen in recent weeks very
clear evidence that Austria is ready to
make peace on the basis OF things as they
declaration Of the Russian revolution in
favor Of such a program. Here are
the two nations whose quarrel opened the
way to the conflict prepared to give over
the struggle, and 1t should be remarked
that with these declarations or intina-
uons there vanish some Of the most ex-
tensive proposals for the alteration of the
map Of Europe.
Turkey and Russia Near Accord.
At the present moment Russia has
abandoned her claim to the straits and to
establish her rule on the ruins Of Turkey
in Europe and merely asks free passage
through the straits, which the Turks and
their allies are prepared to give her.
ton OF a war between Turkey and Russia,
for the problem Of Armenia Is not diff
cult to settle.
In abandoning her claim upon Galicia
Russia surrenders any plan that would
urge Austria to continue at war with
Russia, for with the surrender Of the
Galician dream Russia very manifestly
throws over all Rumanian dreams Of
expansion at the expense OF Hungary.
Since the Russians have declined to
make the cause Of the Slavs in Galicia
basis for continued war. there Is
small chance that they will long insist
upon war merely to do for the Ru-
manians Of Transylvania and Bukovina
what they will not do for their own
brothers in Austrian territory.
Poland Single Exception.
Granted that the present Russian pro-
posal prevails in Russia and continues
to be the driving force Of Russian pol
icy, we may dismiss at once all but one
of the great proposals for changes in
and the Baltic. This single exception
is the case of Poland. The Russians
have agreed to the liberation Of Po-
land; they have frankly and freely and
III tne SpIIIt OI tHe IeVotutlOn llooISed
the idea Of Polish freedom. But this
must mean the freedom Of the Poles III
Austria as we'll as in Russian Poland.
No semi-autonomous Polish state. actu-
ally under German tutelage, actually
bound to the Prussian autocracy, will
safety the ideas OF the Russian revo-
luton. Nor is 1t less clear that once
portion of Poland Is free the Austrian
Poles, the ablest, most intelligent, most
energetic of all, will insist upon joining
the new kingdom. For Austria to re-
fuse would be to throw the great Polish
element into the opposition, and in re-
cent years 1t has only been by a coali-
tion of the Poles with the Magyars and
Germans Of the dual monarchy that the
Hapsburg empire has been preserved.
By far the most likely outcome of the
present situation. granted that there is
no collapse on the part of Russia or
OF the central powers. granted that the
war goes on until the end Of the cam
paign, IL q new peace proposal emanat-
ing from Russia or from Austria, or
coming from both. suggesting the crea-
tion Of q new Poland to consist OF
Russian Poland and Austrian Galicia.
Austria and by Russia. and possibly by
Germany. Such q proposal would at
once eliminate all question OF victory
or defeat in the war. Russia would lose
$4,000 square miles and 100000
people. Austria. 10000 square miles, and
8.250.000, or $4,000 square miles and
8 100000 souls IL Bukovina were includ-
assigned to Rumania in exchange for
that Bulgarian territory. taken at the
time OF the treaty Of Bucharest and
by the Bulgars last year.
Polish State Of 10000 900. |