The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-10-22
PRELIMINARY
PARLIAMENT
is IN SESSION
Kerensky Says Russia Will
Never Bow Her Head
To Force
PEACE PROGRAM -.
rs OUTLINED
Council of Workmen and
Soldiers Presents Its
War Aims
= fRx Associated Press


Petrograd, Oct. 22.-Premier Ker-
ensky on opening the Russian preli-
minary parliament Saturday in the
Marinsky palace rlade a ringing
speech in which he said:
Russia wants peace by right, but
we never will bow our heads to
force.
This declaration was warmly APP
plauded by the members Of all poll
teal factions.
Continuing he said:
I'VE must fight only to save the
country.
The Bolsheviki left only occasion
ally applauded. Many members. in
GLIDING some Of the leading DEM
ocrats were silent.
After his address, the premier Of
fered the presidential chair to
Madame Catherine Breshkovskaya,
the grandmother of the revolution" {,
as she is the senior member of the
preliminary parliament. She receiv-
ed a great ovation as temporary
chairman, and after a speech, invited
the assembly to elect it's president.
M. Avskentief, chairman of the eX-
ecutive committee of the council of
peasant delegates was elected.
Russia's Peace Program.
The Russian peace program,
drawn up by the central executive
committee of the council of work
men and soldiers delegates, as an
instruction to M. Skobeleff, ex-min-
lister of labor, it's delegate to the
Paris conference. follows:
"First-Evacuation by the Ger
mans of Russia and autonomy of
Poland, Lithuania and the Lettish
provinces.
%second-Autonomy Of Turkish
Armenia.
'Third-Solution of the Alsace-
Lorraine question by a plebiscite, the
voting being arranged by local civil
authorities after the removal Of all
the troops of both belligerents.
"Fourth-lRestoratio to Belgium Of
her ancient frontiers and compensa-
ton for her losses from an interna-
tional fund.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of Serbia and
Montenegro with similar compensa-
ton. Serbia to have access to the
Adriatic. Bosnia and Herzegovina to
be autonomous.
"Sixth-Disputed Balkan districts
to receive provisional autonomy fol-
lowed by plebiscite.
"Seventh-Rumania to be restored
her old frontiers on condition that
she grant Dobrudja autonomy and
grant equal rights to Jews.
"Eighth-Autonomy for the Italian
provinces Of Austria to be followed
by a plebiscite.
"Ninth-Restitution of all colonies
to Germany
Tenth - Re-establishment Of
Greece and Persia.
"EleVenth-Neutraii OF all
straits leading to inner seas and al
so the Suez and Panama canals. Free
dom of navigation for merchant
ships. Abolition of the right to tor
pedo merchant ships in wartime.
'Twelfth-All belligerents to re-
nounce war contributions or indemni-
ties in any form, but the money spent
on the maintenance of prisoners and
all contributions levied during the
war. to be returned.
"Thirteenth-Com treaties
not to be based on the peace treaty:
each country may act independently
with respect to its commercial policy,
but all countries to engage to re-
nounce an economic blockade after
the war.
Fourteenth - The conditions of
peace should be settled by a peace
congress consisting Of delegates elect
ed by the people and confirmed by
parliament. Diplomatists must en-
gage not to conclude secret treaties
which hereby are declared contrary
to the right of the people and conse-
quentIy void.
Fifteenth-Gradual disarmament
by land and sea, and the establish
ment OF non-military system.