New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-01
Allies Consider
Reply to Lenine's
Truce Proposal
u. S. Warned Against Ad-
verse Criticism of Rus
sian Tangle Now

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30.--There are
ntimation that suggestions nave
reached Washington from Paris that it
would he well to avoid adverse criti-
cism here of the Russian tangle, leav-
ing the commissioners gathered IN
Paris to deal with it. st this stage at
least, It is even possible that in pur-
suance of the idea that by moral
suasion Russia can be prevented from
going to the extreme of making a
separate peace some Of the Entente
powers may decide TO make some sort
Of acknowledgment of the receipt OF
the Lenine- Trotzky peace and armistice
proposal.
No surprise is felt in diplomatic
circles here at the speedy acceptance
by Germany and Austria Of the Lenine
proposals. 1t mad been assumed that,
with no intention whatever Of accept
ing any of the substantial demands of
the Bolsheviki, the German and Aus
TRAN chancellerles would not miss this
great opportunity to eliminate Russia
as an offensive military force FOR the
many days, weeks or even months dur
ing which the skilled German dipio-
mats might protract the negotiations
for an armistice and peace. In the
meantime, of course, there may be re-
leased for active service against the
British, French and Italians on the
West front hundreds Of thousands OF
German, Austrian, Turkish and Bull
garian soldiers maintained on the East
ern front.
Il will be for the inter-Allied confer
ence in Paris TO devise some means oil
neutralizing this German scheme, pos
sibly by influencing the Bolsheviki cle.
ment itself through an exposition OF
the duplicity and real aims Of the Ger
mans or by recourse to the elements In
Russia represented by General kale-
dimes and other leaders who have re-
fused TO acknowledge the control Of the
Msximalists.
The letter of Lord Lansdowne, sug-
costing a moderation of Allied war
aims, which has aroused such bitter
feeling in England, mag in the opinion
of some of the diplomatic officials here
prove powerful factor in keeping the
Bolsheviki within the Entente Allied
circle by letting them perceive that
their own doctrines regarding peace are
not lacking in support among Entente
statesmen.
Realization of the great danger Of
causing a reaction in Russia favorable
to the Central Powers by intervention
in the political affairs Of the new dim
ocracy has caused administration Off
Gals here to sound a note of warning
against hssty condemnation OF the Boil
sheviki.
Back of what is described as a tolsr.
ant policy in dealing with Russia, ap
parently not only is purpose to
demonstrate faith in the ultimate sta
bilization of the democracy. but a faint
hope that the extremist faction which
is for the moment in control of the
seat Of government at Petrograd, wi
refrain from violating Russia's treaty
pledges 70 the Entente Allies and make
separate peace. So long as there IS
possibility that these overtures will
fail because of the apparently irrecon-
cilable differences between the Bol-
shevik peace scheme founded on mo
annexations and no indemnities" and .he
German demands for compensation and
adequate safeguards for the future"
it is regarded as bad policy to exert
any pressure from the outside at tn S
stage. To do so, it is believed. would
only tend TO cause resentment in Rus.
STA and to solidify the various elements
around the Petrograd regime
An additional reason for maintaining
an attitude Of watchfulness and reserv.
in Washington is found in the fact that
to meet just such a situation as is de-
veloping in Russia is one Of he pu..
poses of the inter-Allied conference as
sembled in Paris.