New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-07
Peace at Expense
Of New Russia,
Offer of Germany
Would Cede Alsace-Lor-
raine and Trieste, Is
Report in London

LONDON, Oct. 25.-The Paris cor
respondent Of "The Manchester Guar
dian" says that Prince Won Bdlow, on
behalf Of Germany, recently transmit
ted to the Allies, through ex-Premler
BRAND of France, a proposal for q
general peace, offering the restoration
of Belgium and cession Of Alsace-Lor-
raine TO France and Trieste TO Italy at
the expense OF compensations in Rus
STA.
In the course of a speech at the
session of the French Chamber on
October - the then Foreign Minister
Ribot said that Germany quite re-
Gently let it be known through IAN
important French political personality"
that if France were willing TO treat
she might recover Alsace-Lorraine. NJ.
Ribot characterized the proposal as a
trap"
1.-THE Manchester Guardians" Paris
correspondent says the nature of the
German proposal is matter of public
knowledge in France. He writes:
ain the course of conversation with
several Deputies NJ. BRAND made il
known that he was the personality in
question, and that during his last visit
to Switzerland Prince Won Bilow had,
in fact, caused proposals for a general
peace to DO transmitted to him.
Germany offered to restore complete
independence Of Belgium, to cede Al
ce-Lorraine TO France and Trieste 10
Italy, but demanded certain compen-
sations, some, it appears, at the ex-
pense of Russia. This Is no doubt the
explanation of q recent statement Of
Kerensky. NJ. BRAND transmitted the
proposals to VI. Ribot. VI. Ribot ap-
pears to have informed the Allied gov
ernments that he had received peace
proposals that were obviously trap,
and there the matter ended"
The French Socialists made an in
terpellation to the government. which
was taken up at secret session Of
the Chamber on October 16. The ses-
sion lasted nearly four hours. After
ward there was a vote Of 3l3 to / for
the government, with 169 abstentions
and 40 absentees.
"Ihe explanations given by NJ.
Ribot during the secret session.
writes the correspondent of THE
Manchester Guardian" "were regard
ed as very unsatisfactory by large
number of Deputies, and but for the
feeling that there was personal
rivalry between VI. Ribot and NJ.
BRAND the government would have
had even fewer than 313 votes. There
was a general feeling that the trap
in the German proposals was not evil
dent. as no armistice was asked for.
Even journalist so little suspected
says this morning October 10 that
il is absurd to speak OF trap and
adds that, il the other Allies agree.
there can be no harm in talking No
body would consent TO a peace at the
expense Of Russia. but it is argued
that Germany cannot be expected to
As 10 Germany's proposal TO make
peace at the expense Of Russia, there
were rumors circulating about six weeks
ago in Russia regarding the pos
sibility Of a separate peace between the
Western Allies and the Central Powers.
Toward the end of September the Rus
sian government contradicted those ru-
mors on several occasions.
On one such occasion General Verk-
hoysky. Russian War Minister. speak
ing 20 the Central Executive Committee
of the Council Of Workmen and Sol
diers, said that "Dr. Michaelis, in off
cially expounding the conditions of
peace, passed over Russia in silence.
This silence signifies that Germany,
seeing that our army gave way, wishes
20 come TO an understanding with Great
Britain and France 10 the detriment of
Russia. Fortunately, the British and
French peoples have declared that their
governments will not conclude a sep
nrate peace. Yesterday we received
formal assurances to this effect"