New-York tribune., 1917-12-12
British Envoy Opposes
Bolsheviki Attitude

PETROCRAD, Dec. 10 (delsyed)'-ln
replv 10 4 question what form OF gov
eminent IN Russia the Allies would con-
slider as recognized and supported by
the people. the British Ambassador s'r
George buchanan. said in an interview
to.dav that Great Britain's position was
that such a government most naturailg
would conc from the Constituent AS
sembly, although It might come from
some other source.
The ambassador explained mat dtese
Rritsin considered IL necessary hrst 70
discuss pcacc terms among the A'lles
before taking them up with the enemy
and on that account could not parucl-
nato in the armistlce negotiations. he
sdded that he had taken no action
toward recognition OF the people $
commissaries.
Deserve Better Treatment
Sir George reminded his interviewers
that without the British feet and vol
untecr armies Russia to-day would pc
Germany vassal, that autocrscy would
be SUPREME in Europe andrthat tnetC
would have been no revolution IN kus,
sia. no liberty for the people lie asked
II the British were not entitled TO De
treated as friends instead or as the
objects OF scurrilous attacks. lie de-
clared that the Bolsheyik Premier
Nikolai Lenine, had placed the Brltish
on a level lower than the Turks, TO
whom he would hand over Armenia
The position Of Engllshmen IN Russia
M the prcseint moment was unenviabIe'
he added. They were attacked or re-
garded with suspicion. There was no
foundation for suspicion, unless II was
q crime TO defend ones country against
the calumnics of German agents.
Warns the Democracy
The ambassador said he ventured 10
address a word of warning to the kus-
SIAN democracy. lie knew the Russian
leaders we're animated by the sincere
desire 20 create a brotherh ood. Never
theless. speeches delivered against
Great Britain and attempts 20 provoke
a revolution in the British Isles were
merely steeling the resolve OF the Brit
ish TO fight the war 10 the end, rallying
the people around the government.
PETROGRAD, Dec. (delayed).-A
representative Of the British Embassy
called in an unofficial capacity yester-
day on Leon Trotzkv, Bolshevik Foreign
Minister, and attempted 20 reach an
agreement in regard TO the situation
which has resulted from the OBTAINING
Of Russian extremists in England and
the retalistory action Of the Bolsheyiki
in refusing TO permit Englishmen 10
leave this country. II was said at the
British Embassy this afternoon that no
definite arrangement had been made.
LONDON. Dec. 10 delayed. -
Further details of the statement made
20 Russian journalists by Sir George
Buchanan. British Ambassad at Pet
rOgrad as forwarded in a Reuter- dis
patch, show that the ambassador de-
clared the Russian commissaries were
mistaken in thinking that a durable
peace could be obtained by asking the
Germans for an arr.istice, TO be fol-
lowed by an agreement. The Allies,
he said, wished 10 arrive first at a
general agreement in harmony with
their declared war aims, and then to
arrange an armistice.
Hitherto not one word had been said
the ideals of the Russian democracy
we're shared by Emperor William and
his government, the ambassador said.
II was with the German autocracy, not
with the German people, that the ar
mistice negotiations were being con-
Quoted. He asked whether it was like
" that the Emperor. when once re
knew the Russian arThy had ceased to
exist as a fighting force, would be
disposed TO subscribe to a democratic
and durable peace. On the contrary,
the peace contemplated by the En-
peror was n German imperialistic
peace.
Although the Allies could not send
representatives 10 take part in the
armistice negotiations, they were
ready, said Sir George, as soon as a
stable government, recognized by the
Russian people. had been constituted,
70 examine with that government the
aims Of the war and the possible con-
ditiors Of a just and durable peace.
In the meantime, the Allies were
giving Russia the most effective as
sistance, by holding the bulk of the
German armies on their respective
fronts The ambassador reiterated
Great Britain's desire to stand by Rus
sia in this critical hour, and asked
whether the same could be said of
Russian feelings toward Great Britain.
He remarked that hardly . day passed
that did not witness a bitter attack
on Great Britain in the official news
papers, giving the impression that
Britain, not Germany, was Russia's en-
envy and the provoker OF the war.
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