The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-31
Russia and Central Powers
Reach Understanding On
Important Points
Details Of Resumption Of
Relations Discussed N
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peace. would have u - SszGles
among the nations TSETSSszSez IN
the negotiations here TA1S EzCEa-
Siona1 discussion VAS tsTEa1zARe3 70
day. the bass C an RETe<EnsaE - eS
adopted under fhe rSSsTN&uS2 EhsGI
u vas % be examined ~ EAs EcVNE1-
menrS represented ~ 1Ae &sleEA-eS
In respect C treaty TelAEtCzs. an
understanding VAS arrived A. TN-
gar6inE the reSzo-zgsOn - tAe st
ua1Son As IL existed whs2 SAe WEas
BEGAN
j was provided that certain laws
adopted GnTlnE The var shall &C rGG-
celled and that these affected rhCES--
by shah BE restored 10 thS1r Fs-SvRozs
rights or in6eUn1ne1
Tie rules IN regard % payments
og var costs and 6RzuEEe weTe Ge22-
ed In greater detail PrCTsSsoEs WVsTs
made concerning damages sustained
by civilians OUTSIDE the var A-NA-
An agreement IN principles w1S
reached reE2r6inE the reczpTUcEl
liberation and retuFu 70 their homes
Of var prisoners and iuseTDe3 CIVIL
ians, and also for the resuTn UE cap
tured merchant vessels.
Speedy resumption o. 65rac-Atkc
and consular relations Is embraced
in the un6erStRn3inE. IL Is Sag forth
that there shah bs immediate sssR-
page O. economic warfare. Ss8Ab-
liShment Of commercial intercourSs
and the organized eUchAngo q com-
modities.
Occupied TerrltsEy.
Regarding the question Cf ouCG-
pied territory the Russians U&8e
the following proposals.
In fun accord with pubic Gec-
parties that they cherish No hSIli-
coSa plans and desire IN conc2U&s
peaca Without auuexaHseaS R03Ssh
wiz mldthdr&w heT trcopS frNn al
parts q AustF51-h0nEarg. Turkey
and Persia occupied hy aher, whils
the powers OF the unadruple alliance
win withdraw Ehe3TS frOn Poland,
in accordance with the prdmcipleS q
the Russian E0varnment, which has
declared the rights OF all peonAnS Nv
ing in Russia 20 Self-5etermlnztion
including even separation. TIE pOpu-
lations Of these districts win be Civ
en- an opportunity within the short
est possible period of deciding en-
tirely and freely the question Of
their union with one OF the ether
empire. or their formation into in
dependent states.
"In this connection the presence
Of any troops. apart from national or
local militia in the territories which
are voting shall not be permissible
until this question ts decided The
government of these reEionS VIII re-
main In the hands OF representatives.
OF the local populations. elected
economically. The date of evacuA-
ton and other circumstances and
the commencement OF demOhEEiEaa ton
Of the army is to be fixed by q Spe-
cial military commission"
Gsrnanyis Proposal
Germany then proposed the fol-
lowing form for the first articles of
q preliminary treaty which Is to he
concluded:
'.FIrst, Russia ana Germany are
to declare the state Of war AT an end.
Both nations are resolved 20 live to-
gether in the future in peace and
friendship on condition Of complete
reciprocity, Germany viii be ready
as soon as peace Is concluded with
Russia and the dem0hiliRatsOn Of the
Russian armies has been accomplish
ed. 70 evacuate her present positions
in occupied Russian territory. tnSo-
far as no different inferencos result
from Article :.
second, the Russian government.
having in accordance with its prin-
ciples proclaimed for all peoples
without exception living within the
Russian empire, the right Of SELF
determination. including complete
separations takes coEniEance OF the
decisions expressing the will OF the
people demanding a fun state OF in
dependence. and separations. from
the Russian empire, for Poland
L3thuania. Couriand and portions Of
ESthonia and Livouia-
The Russian government FecoE-
niEes that in the present circum-
be regarded as an EXPRESSION nf the
viii Of the people and Is ready 60
draw conclusions therefrom. As in
those districts to which the foreEo-
ing stipulations apply. the question
Of evacuation is not such as provided
for in Article l. a special commits
sion shall discuss and fix the time
and other details in conformity and
in accordance with the Russian idea
OF the necessary ratification By
plebiHcite on broad lines and with
out any military pressure whatever
OF the already existing pruclama-
ton Of separation.
The Austrian delegation made a
similar statement
The Russian StandpsinE
The Russian delegation took cog
Of these statements and set
forth its standpoint as follows.
Our standpoint Ii that only such
manifestation OF win can be regard
ed as q de facto expression of the
win Of the people 0s results from a
free vote in the districts in uues-
ton. with the complete absence Of
foreign troops. We. therefore pro-
bose and must insist thereon. that
q clearer and more precise formula u
ton oK this point be made. We con-
sent however, 70 the appointment