Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-28

made prisoner and damages caused to
property of civilian subjects by DELHI
crate violations of international law
on the part of the adversary. The
| creation of a special fund for this
purpose, as suggested by Russia,
should be discussed only in the event
that the other belligerents join in the
peace negotiation within a certain
time.
SLAV SPOKESMAN OBJECTS.
The chairman of the Russian dele
cation expressed qualification at Teu-
ton willingness to make peace with
out annexations and indemnities and
with the self-defnition of peoples He
demurred, however. at the German
statement on self-definition as being
incomplete. He said the war could
not end without the re-esta blishment
of the violated rights Of little and OPP
pressed nations and Russia would
insist on guarantees that their lawful
rights would be protected in a gen.
eral peace treaty.
Count Czernin explained the posi-
tion OF the central powers in a state
ment which he read at the second ses-
sion OF the peace conference Tuesday
evening. His statement says:
czERNiN's STATEMENT.
"'rhe delegations of the allied
(Teutonic) powers acting upon the
clearly expressed will OF their gov
ernments and peoples, will conclude
as soon as possible a general peace.
The delegations, in complete accord
with the repeatedly expressed view
point Of their governments. think that
the basic principles Of the Russian
delegation can be made the basis Of
such peace.
"The delegations of the quadruple
alliance are agreed Immediately to
conclude a general peace without
forcible annexations and indemnities.
They share the view OF the Russian
delegation which condemns the con-
tinuation Of war purely for aims of
conquest.
DEMANDS ASSURANCE.
"The statesmen of the allied (Teu-
tonic) governments in programs and
statements have emphasized time and
again that for the sake of conquest
they will not prolong the war single
day. The governments of the (Teu-
tonic) allies unswervingly have fol-
lowed this view all the time. They
solemnly declare their resolve i'm
mediately to sign peace terms which
will stop this war on the above terms,
equally just to all belligerents with
out exception.
ut is necessary, however, to indi-
cate most clearly that the proposals
al h1
realized only in case all the powers
in the war obligate them
selves scrupulously to adhere to the
terms in common with all peoples.
CONDITIONAL TERMS.
"The powers of the quadruple alli-
ance now negotiating with Russia can
not. of course, one-sidedly bind them
selves to such terms, not having the
guarantee that Russia's allies will
recognize and carry out these terms
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 delegations as basis OF
negotiations, the following must be
stated:
Clause l. Forcible annexations Of
territories seized during the war does
not enter into the intentions Of the
allied powers. About troops now oc-
cupying seized territories, it must be
stipulated in the peace treaty, II there
is no agreement before, regarding the
evacuation Of these places.
OF MINOR STATES.
CLAUSE 2. 1t is not the intention
Of the allies to deprive Of political
independence those nations which
lost 1t during the war.
CLAUSE 3. The question Of subjec-
ton to that or the other country Of
those nationalities who have not
political independence cannot, in the
opinion Of the powers of the quadruple
be solved internationally. In
this case 1t must be solved by each
government together with its peoples
in manner established by the con.
stitution.
CLAUSE T. Likewise. in accordance
with the declaration Of the statesmen
Of the quadruple alliance, the pro-
lection of the rights Of minorities con-
stitute an essential part of the rights
Of peoples to self definition indicated
by constitution.
WOULD CUT EXPENDITURES
CLAUSE 5. The government also re-
Allies this principle in life when there
Is material possibility Of mutual re-
fusal not only to refund war expendi-
lures, but also to pay damages caused
by the war. In accordance with this
each belligerent would have to bear
only the expense of its subjects made
war prisoners and also to pay dam
ages caused on their own territory to
civil subjects of an adversary by de-
liberate violation OF international law.
The creation of a special fund for
this purpose, as suggested by the Rus
sian government, can be discussed
only in case other belligerents join in
peace negotiations before the expira-
ton of a certain time.
GERMANY DEMANDS COLONIES.
CLAUSE 6. OF the four allied pow
ers, Germany alone possesses colonies.
On the part Of the German delegation,
In full accord with the Russian pro-
posals regarding that, the following
Is declared:
"The return Of colonial territories
torcibly seized during the war consti-