Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-12-28
Statement of Peace Plan
As Made by Czernin

W SS4SS
AS Made by Czernin
PETROGRAD, wednesday, Dec. 2s.-
Count Czernin explained the position
of the central powers in "a statement
which he read at the second session of
the peace conference at 10 o'clock
Tuesday evening His statement fol-
lows:
The delegations of the allied CTeu-
tonic powers. acting upon the clearly
expressed will of their governments and
peoples will conclude as soon as possible
a general peace. The delegations, in
complete accord with the repeatedly ex-
pressed viewpoint of their governments,
think that the basic principles OF the
Russian delegation can be made the
basis of such a peace.
THE delegations of the quadruple al
lance are agreed Immediately to con-
clude a general peace without forcible
anexations and indemnities. They
share the view of the Russian delega-
ton which condemns the continuation of
the war purely for aims of conquest
The statesmen of the allied CTeu-
tonic) governments in programmes and
statements have emphasized time and
again that for the sake of conquest they
|. will not prolong the war single day.
The governments of the allies unswerv-
ingly have. followed this ciew~ all the
time. They solemnly declare their re-
solve Immediately 10 sign terms of peace
which will stop this war on the above
terms equally just to all belligerents
without exception.
1t is necessary, however, to indicate
most clearly that the proposals of the
Russian delegation could be realized only
in case all the powers participating in
the war obligate themselves scrupulous-
ly to adhere to the terms in common
with all people.
1.-The powers of the quadruple alliance
now negotiating with Russia cannot, of
course, one-sidedly bind themselves to
such terms, not having the guarantee
that Russia's allies will recognize and
carry out these terms honestly without
reservation with regard to the quad
ripple alliance. Starting upon these prin-
ciples, and regarding the six clauses
proposed by the Russian delegation as
"a basis of negotiations. the following
must be. stated:
Will Not Annex
Clause 1. ForciDie annexations of ter
ritories seized during the. war does not
enter into the intentions of the allied
powers. About troops now occupying
seized territories it must be stipulated
in the peace treaty, if there is no agree
of these places.
Clause 2. 1t is not the intention of
the allies to deprive the political indie
pendence of those nations which lost it
during the war.
Clause 8. The question of subsection
to that or the other country of these
nationalities who have not politic6 in
dependence cannot, in the opinion of the
powers of the quadruple alliance, be
solved internationally. In this case it
must be solved by each government to-
gether with it's peoples in a manner es-
tablished by the constitution.
Clause 4. Likewise, in accordance
with the declarations of the statesmen
of the quadruple alliance. the protection
of the right of minorities, constitutes
an essential part of the right of peoples
to self-definition, indicated by a consti-
tuition.
Clause ). The governments of the
(Teutonic) allies also recognize this
principle CThis refers to clause five of
the Russian peace terms, stipulating
that no belligerent country shall be re-
quired to pay contributions and that
private persons shall be compensated
for losses incurred through the war from
a special fund contributed by all the
belhgeretns on a proportionalbasiS.
There is material possibility of mutual
refusal not only to refund war expendi-
lures but also to pay for damages caus-
ed by the war. In this event belliger-
ents would be required to bear only the
expense of it's subjects made war prison
ers and TO pay for damages caused to
civil subjects of an adversary by deliber-
ate violations.
The creation of a special fund for this !
purpose, as suggested by tho Russian |
can be discussed only case |
lions before the expiration of a certain |
time.
Must Have Her Colonies
Clause 6. Of the four allied powers |
Germany alone possesses colonies. On |
the part of the German delegation. in |
full accord with the Russian proposals |
regarding that, the following is de-
clared:
THE return of colonial territories
forcibly seized during the war consti-
tutes an essential part of German de-
mands. which Germany cannot renounce
under any circumstances. Likewise. the |
Russian demand for immediate evacua-
ton of territories occupied by an ad-
conforms to German intentions. /
Having in view the nature of the colo
NAL territories of Germany. the realiza-
ton of the right of self-determination,
beside the above outlined considerations, /
in the form proposed by the Russian
is at present practically i'm
possible
1.-THE circumstances that In the Ger