New Britain herald., 1917-12-27
GERMANY AGREES
 TO PEACE TERMS
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Continued from First Page)
 of tho Russian delegation could be realized only in case all tho powers participating in the war obligate themselves scrupulously to adhere to the terms in common with all peo- pies.
 'The powers of the quadruple alli- ance now negotiating with Russia can not, of course, one-sidedly bind them selves to such terms. not having the guaranteo that Russia's allies will recognise and carry out these terms honestly without reservation with re- gard to the qua druple alliance. Start ing upon these principles, and regard Ing the six clauses proposed by the Russian delegation as a basis of ne- gOtiations, the following must be stated:
 Clause 1-Forcible annexations of territories seized during the war does not enter into the intentions of the aI- lied powers. About troops now occu- py1ng seized territories 1t must be stipulated in the peace treaty. if there 1a no agreement before, regarding the evacuation of these places.
 Clause 2-It is not the intention of the allies to deprive the political independence of those nations which lost 1t during the war.
 Clause S-The question of suhjec- t1on to that or the other countries or naftonalities who have not political independence, cannot, in the opinion cf the powers of quadruple alliance be solved internationally. In this case 1f must be solved by each government, together with ita peoples in 2. manner established by the constitution.
 Clause 4-Likewise in accordance with the declarations of the statesmen of the quadruple alliance, the protec- ton of the rights of minorities con- atitutes an essential part of the right Of peoples to self-definition, indicated by a constitution.
 Clause 5-The governments also realize this principle in life when tlaal refusal not only to refund war expenditures, but also to pay damages caused by the war. In accordance with this each belligerent would have to bear only the expense of it's sub- jects made war prisoners and also to pay damages caused on their own ter r1tory to civil subjects of an adver- sary by deliberate violation of inter- national law. The creation of a special fund for this purpose, as sug- gested by the Russian government, can be discussed only in case other bellgerents join in peace negotiations before the expiration of certain time. Clause 6-Of the four allied pow CTS, Germany alone possesses col onies. On the part of the German delegation in full accord with the Russian proposals regarding that, the following is declared:
 '"The return of colonial territories fo oActbly Beized during the war con-. stitutes an essential part of German demands, which Germany cannot re- nounce under any circumstances. Likewise, the Russian demand for im- mediate evacuation of territories oc- cupied by an adversary conforms to German intentions. Having in view the nature of the, colonial territories of Germany, the realization of the r1ght of self-determination beside the above outlined considerations, in the form proposed by the Russian delega- ton is at present practically impos- sible. .
 "The circumstance that in the Ger man colonies the natives, notWith- standing the greatest difficulties and the improbability of victory in g. struggle against an adversary many times stronger and who had the ad- vantage of unlimited import by sea. remained in the gravest circumstances faithful to their German friends. may serve as proof of their attachment and their resolve by all means to pre- serve allegiance to Germany, proof or which by its significance and weight is far superior to any expression Of pop ular will.
 '"The principles of economic rela- tions proposed by the Russian dele garion in connection with the above six clauses are approved wholly by the delegations of the small allied powers who always have denied any econom- ic restrictions and who see in the re- Establishment of regulated economic relations, which are in accord with the interests of all people concerned, one of the most important conditions for bringing about friendly relations hetween the powers now engaged in war.''
 Chairman Ioffee, of the Russian delegation, expressed qualification at the willingness of Germany to con- clude peace on the basis of no an nexatfons, no indemnities and the self-dehnition Of peoples, but pointed out that the self-definition of peoples within the limits granted by constitu- tions, as stated by the German reply. was not complete.
 "Renouncing the application of the right of the stronger nation with re- gard to territories occupied during the war;" he said, "the powers of the uuadruple alliance at the same time give all their opponents an immedi- ate peace ground. They affirm that the right of the stronger after unpre- cedentcd hioo dshed shall be preserved with all its integrity within each of