The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-27

walton, with regard to the quadruple
alliance. Starting upon these pTin-
ciples. and regarding the six clauses
proposed by the Russian delegations
as a basis of negotiations, the fol-
lowing must be stated:
No ForeibIe Annexation.
-"Clause 1. Forcible annexationS
OF territories seized during the war
does not enter into the intentions of
the allied powers. About troops now
occupying seized territories IL must
be stipulated in the peace treaty. IL
there is no agreement before, regard
ing the evacuation Of these places.
Clause 2. 1t is not the intention
Of the allies to deprive OF political
independence those nations which
lost it during the war.
Clause s. The question OF sub
lection to that or other country of
those nationalities who have not
political independence cannot, in the
opinions of the quadruple alliance.
be solved internationally. In this
case, il must be solved by each gov
ernment together with its peoples in
a manner established by the consti-
tuition.
Clause 4. Likewise, in accordance
with the uEEEaAaAAuAAh u INC HAAAEH-
men of the quadruple alliance. the
protection of the rights OF minorities
constitutes an essential part nf the
right of peoples to self definition, In
dictated by a constitution.
'CIause h.-The governments OF
the ITeutonic) allies also recognize
this principle. (This refers to
clause OF the Russian peace terms,
STIMULATING that no belligerent coun-
try shall be required 10 pay contri-
buttons and that private persons
shall be compensated for losses In
CURED through the war from q. spec
iaI fund contributed by all the bel
ligerents on a proportionate basis ,
There is a material possibility Of
mutual refusal not only to refund
war expenditures but also to pay for
damages caused by the war. In this
event, each belligerent would be
required to bear only the expense Of
its subjects made war prisoners and
to pay for damages caused To civil
subjects OF an adversary by DELHI
crate violations OF international law.
Return OF Colonies.
Clause 6. OF the four allied pow
ers, Germany alone possesses colon
les. On the part of the German dele
cation, in full accord with the Rus
sian proposals regarding that the
following is declared:
The return OF colonial territories
f0rcibly seized during the war con-
stitutes an essential, part of German
demands, which Germany cannot re-
nounce under any circumstances.
Likewise, the Russian demand for
Immediate evacuation OF territories
occupied by an adversary conforms
to German intentions. Having IN
view the nature of the colonial ter
ritories OF Germany, the realization
OF the right Of self determination,
besides the above outlined considera~
lions in the form proposed by the
Russian delegation Is at present
practically impossible.
THE principles Of economic rela-
tions proposed by the Russian dele
cation in connection with the above
six clauses are approved wholly By
the delegations of the small allied
powers who always have denied any
economic restrictions and who see ~
the establishment Of regulated
economic relations which are In ac-
cord with the interests OF all apeopie
concerned, one Of the most important
conditions for bringing about friend
~ relations between the powers now
engaged In war"
delegation expressed qualification at
the WILLINGNESS OF Germany TO con-
ciudo peace on the basis OF no an
nexatf0ns. no indemnitica and the
self definition Of peoples but pointed
ont that the Eelf-deinition Of neo-
plies within the limits granted by