Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-27

In the event of a mutual refusal to
meet war expenditures and pay dam
ages caused by the war, Count Czernin
continued, each belligerent shall bear
only the expense of its subjects made
prisoner and damages caused. to prop
erty of civilian subjects by deliberate
violations of International law on the
part of the adversary. he creation o.
eested bx Bgssia. Gould ~ dfscnssed
only II the event that tie other bel
ligerents join in the peace negotiations
within a certain time.
Count Czernin's Statement.
Count Czernin explained the position
of the central powers in statement
which he read at the second session OF
the peace conference at 10 o'clock Tues
day evening. His. statement follows:
The delegations of the allied (Teu-
tonic) powers. acting upon the clearly
expressed will of their governments
and peoples. will conclude as soon as
possible a general peace. The delega-
tions, in complete accord with the re-
peatedIy expressed viewpoint Of their
governments, think that the basic prin-
ciples of the Russian delegation can
be made the basis of such peace.
THE delegations of the quadrup1e al
lance are agreed Immediately to con-
clude a general peace without forcibie
annexations and indemnities. They
share the view of the Russian delega-
tion which condemns the continuation
of the war purely for aims Of conquest
1.-THE statement of the allied (Teu,
tonic) governments in programs ana
statements have emphasized time ana
quest they will not prolong the war
a single day. The governments OF the
allies unswervingly have followed TINS
view all the time. They solemnly De-
foIU n
terms of peace which will stop this
war ON the above terms, equally just to
all belligerents without exception;
aft is necessary, however, to indicate
most clearly that the proposal OF the
Russian delegation could be realized
only in case all the powers participat-
ing in the war obligate themselves
to adhere to the terms
in common with all peoples.
..The powers of the quadruple alliance
now negotiating with Russia cannot. OF
course. e-sidedly bind themselves to
such terms, not having the guarantee
that Russia's allies Will recognize ana
carry out these terms honestly with
out reservation Win feSdru ~ TIC
quadruple alliance.
Bases of Negotiations.
Starting upon these principles. and
regarding the six clauses proposed by
the Russian delegation as a basis of
the following must be
CLAUSE !. 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. If there
is no agreement before. regarding the
evacuation of these places.
CLAUSE 2. 1t is not the intention of
the allies to deprive the political indie
pendence of those nations which lost
it during the war.
'Ciause 3. The question Of subjection
TO that or the other country of those
who have not political in
cannot. in the opinion of the
powers of the quadruple alliance. be
solved internationally. In this case it
must be solved by each government. to-
cether with its peoples, in a manner
established by the constitution.
"Clause 4. Likewise, in accordance
with the declarations of the statesmen of
the quadruple alliance. the protection of
sential part of the right of people to self
definition indicated by a constitution.
1.-The creation of a special fund for
this purpose. as suggested by the Rus
sian government. can be discussed only |
n case other belligerents join in peace ne
the part of the German delegation. in !
full accord with the Russian proposals |
regarding that, the following is de- |
clared: |
"The return of colonial territories |
seized during the war consti- |
tutes an essential part of German de-
nands, which Germany cannot renouncei !