The sun., 1917-12-28
CZERNIN OFFERS TERMS.
First Detailed Statement Made In
Reply to BOlsheylki.

Reply TO bOIshevlki.
fsTRooRAp. Dec. 2s (delayed).-The
Central Powers are ready TO make an
immediate general peace without COM
pulsory alterations and without con-
tribuiions.
This Is their answer Through Count
czernin. the Austro-Hunxarian Foreign
Minister, made Oh Christmas day at
Brest-Litovsk. to the Russian proposals.
which they are ready to accept in most
Particulars as the basis of negotiations
They insist. however. that the Central
Powers cannot bind themselves one
sidedly to such conditions without u
guarantee that the allies Of Russia will
recognize and fulfil these conditions.
The Russian delegates asked for a
ten day recess in the negotiations in
order to put the proposal before Rus
slas allies.
Count Czernin declared that the Cen
raj Powers believed that the basic
principles uttered by the Russian dele
gates could be the basis OF such a peace.
lie said they shared Russian condem.
nation Of a continuation Of the war for
the sake Of conquest.
1t is necessary, the Count added, to
indicate most clearly. however. that the
I;ussian proposals could be realized only
IN the event that all bellieerents obii-
gated themselves to adhere TO the terms
Of such a peace.
The Austio- Hungarian Foreign Minis
ter declared that the Central Powers
lid not intend forcibly to annex terri
tories seized during the war. nor to de-
privc nations Of political independence
lost in the war.
The question Of the subjection Of ma
ilonalities who have not political in
dependence to another country cannot be
solved internationally and must be met
by each Government and its people in
the manner established by the Consti-
tuition Of that Government, he argued.
The protection Of the right OF minorities
is an essential part of the right Of peo-
pies to self-dehnition.
would Adjust War Damages.
In the event Of mutual remuneration
OF indemniflcat.on for war costs and war
damages. Count Czern!n continued. each
belligerent would have to bear only the
expense incurred for its subjects made
prisoner and to pay for damages caused
IN rs own territory to property of civilian
subjects of an enemy country by viola
tions of international law. The creation
o. special fund for this purpose as
suggested by Russia. could be discussed
only in the event that the other bclliger-
ents join in the peace negotiations within
certain time.
The chairman OF the Russian delega-
ton expressed gratihcation at German
Willingness to make peace without an
nsyations and indemnitles and with the
self-definition Of peoples. He demurrcd.
however, at the German statement on
self-definition as being incomplete. He
said the war could not end without the
reestablishment Of the violated rights
Of little and oppressed nationalities. and
Russia would insist onf guarantees that
their lawful rights woufd be protected In
q general peace treaty.
Count Czernin made this announce
ment In statement which he read At
the second session OF the peace con-
ference at 10 O'Clock Tuesday evening.
His statement follows:
The delegation OF the allied
'Teutonic) Powers. acting upon the
clearly expressed will of their Govern
nents and peoples. will conclude a. soon
az possible general peace. The dslega-
peatedIy expressed viewpoint Of their
Governments. think that the basic prin.
ciples OF the Russian dslegatiod can be
made tho basis = such . peace.
ce.as.ss Aias - cess..ss.
The delegations OF the quadrvpis al
nance are agreed Immediately to con-
clude general peace without forcibis
annexatiops and indSmnities. They
sneo ~ view OF the Russian delega.
~ which condemns The coNtinuatIon
W@e wae purely fer aims q con4usse.
,,.,rh Tbs .tatssmsa = tAs allisA iTsu:
.cnicl 0ovsrnuasnts - psogfaminss anl
stA1mentS. havA eqnphastsSd .tins and
s9ain that foe ~ fstA 6( oenquese they
.ru M.u not preicne fhe war . single day.
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