Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-27
SHOWS WAYS PEACE
WINDS ARE SHIFTING

SHOWS WAYS PEACE
WINDS ARE SHIFTING
Continued From Page One)
peace terms which will stop this war
on The above terms, equally just TO all
beliigerents without exception.
1t is necessary. however, to indi-
cate most clearly that the proposals
OF the Russian delegation could be
realized only in case all the powers
participating in the war obligate
themselves scrupulously TO adhere to
the terms in common with all peoples.
The powers OF the quadruple al
lance now negotiating with Russia
cannot. OF course One-sidedly bind
themselves to such terms, not having
the guarantee that Russia's allies will
recognize and carry out these terms
I honestly, without reservation with re-
gard to the quadruple alliance. Start
ing upon these principles, and regard
ing the six clauses proposed by the
Russian delegation as q basis Of ne
godatiQns, the following must be
/ stated;
Clause 1-Forcible annexatioHs Of
territories seized during the war does
not enter into the Intentions Of the
allied powers. About troops now &C
cupying seized territories it must be
stipulated in the peace treaty, if there
/ is no agreement before, regarding the
evacuation Of these places
( Clause 2-It is not the intention
of the allies to deprive Of political in
dependence those nations which lost
It during the war.
/ Clause 3-The question OF subjec-
I ton to that or the other country Of
/ those nationalities who have not po-
litical independence cannot, in the
opinion Of the powers Of the quadruple
alliance. be solved internationally In
this case it must be solved by each
government together with its peoples
in a manner established by the con
stitution.
Clause 4--Likewise, in accordance
with the declaration of the statesmen
OF the quadruple alliance the protec-
ton of the rights Of minoriies con
stitutes an essential part of the right
of peoples to self definition, indicated
by constitution
About War Damages.
Clause 5-The governments also
realize this principle in life when
there is a material possibility of mu-
tual 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 its sub
jects made war prisoners and also to
pay damages caused on their own ter
ritory 10 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 beIlig-
erents join in peace negotiations be
fore the expiration Of a certain time.
Clause 6-Of the four allies Ger
MANY alone possesses colonies on the
part Of the German delegation, in ful
accord with the Russian proposals re.
garding that. the following is de.
clared:
THE return of colonial territories
fOrcibly seized during the war cOnst
, tutes an essential part of German de
, mands. which Germany cannot re
, nounce under any circumstances
Likewise. the Russian demand FOL
immediate evacuation ofterritOries oc
cupied by an adversary conforms q
+ German intentions. Having in view
the nature OF the colonial territorie
- of Germany. the realization of tn
right of characterization. beside tn
p above outlined considerations in TIN
/, form proposed by the Russian dele
, cation is at present practically i'm
b possible
/ THE principles Of economic rela
lions proposed BY the Russian dele
CATION in connection with the aboy
six clauses are approved wholly b
the delegations Of the small allie
powers who always have denied an
economic restrictions and who see il
the establishment of regulated eco
monte relations, which are in acco~
with the interest Of all people con
cernod, one OF the most importan
conditions for bringing about friendl
relations between the powers now en-
gagged in war
Russians Pick Flaws.
Chairman Ioffe Of the Russian dele
CATION pointed out that the self defni
tions of peoples within the limit
i granted by constitutions as stated b
the German reply was not complete
"Renouncing the application Of tn
right Of the ST -onger nation with RI
gard to territories occupied during tn
war" he said the powers OF I'll
! auadruple alliance at the same tim
give all their opponents an immediat