El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-12-27
GERMANY OFFERS
PEACE
Demands Return of Col
onies as an Essential
Condition.
(Continued From Page -

man colonies the natives, uotwith-
standing the greatest difficulties and
the imprObability OF victory IN
struggle against an adversary many
times stronger and who had the adj
vantage Of unlimited import by sea,
remained in the gravest circum-
stances faithful 10 their German
friends. may serve rs proof OF their
attachment and their resolve by all
means TO preserve allegiance TO Ger
many proof which by its significance
and weight is far superior TO any
expression Of popular Will
To Restore Friendly Commerce
The principles or eco omlc rela-
tions proposed by the Russian dele
cation in connection with the above
six clauses are approved wholly By
the delegations of the small allied
powers who always have denied any
economic restrictions and VINO see ID
the reestablishment OF regulated
economic relations. which are in ac-
cord with the interests Of all people
concerned. one of the most important
conditions for bringing about friendly
relations between the powers now en-
gCgeC in war;
Russfn objection to Statement.
Chairman Joffe OF the Russian
delegation. expressed qualification ar
the willingness OF Germany to con-
clude peace on the basis Of no an
ntXations. no indemnities and the self
that the self definition OF peoples
within the limits granted by consti-
tutions as stated by the German re-
PLY. was not complete.
No Regard for Oppressed Peoples.
"Renouncing application of the
right OF the stronger nation with re-
gard TO territories occupied during
the war" he said. the powers Of
the Quadruple alliance at the same
time give all their opponents an i'm
Is FHHaHHH
that the right Of the stronger. after
unprecedented blOodshed. shall be
preserved with all its integrity with
I'm each OF the countries with no re-
gard FOR little and oppressed nation
Must Guarantee Rights.
The war cannot end without the
violated rights Of these uatioualitie5
being reesta blished- The Russian
delegation insists that those nation
alities must, in the very next treaty
establishing a general peace amOne
all uationalities receive on the basis
of International agreement. Euarau-
tees that their lawful rights viii be
protected The lapse Of time in no
case legalizes the violation OF one
people by another"
Insists on International Fund.
Regarding compensation TOT lne
maintenance of prisoners OF war, the
Russian chairman said it might DC
cons lEL as All AA4EAAAlA-Al nc AA.~
sisted that an international fund be
used TO pay damages against private
persons. He had no objection 10 Ger
many's request that her colonies be
evacuated by entente troops
Next Session December &c.
"Russia's delegation" he stated r.
conclusion. Notwithstanding differ
ences Of opinion, thinks the German
declaration that Germany has no az
eressive plans offers the possibility
OF the immediate beginning Of nego-
tiations for 4 general peace among
all belligereuts." He proposed a ten
DAYS recess until January I, so the
peoples whose governments have not
yet joined iu the negotiations for
general peace may have an oppoTtu-
nifty TO acquaint themselves with the
principles Of such a peace as now is
being established
AT the expiration OF the indicated
time he declared. negotiations must
be resumed disregardinE whether
other beliEerents have Joined in the
NEGOTIATIONS or how many"
The next session OF the conference
was set for December &c.