The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-11-24
Leon Tr0tzky Owns Purpose
to Disregard Rulers,
If Necessary.
BATTLE IF GERMANY
DECLINES HIS PLAN
RevOlutiOnists Will Hasten
Offensive Against Hun,
Says Minister.

Pctrograd. Nov. 23.-The note of
Leon Trotzky. the Bolsheviki foreign
minister, to the allied embassies con-
veying the announcement of the pro-
posal for an armistice on all fronts
reached the embassies last night.
The American amba ssador, David r.
Francis, is transmitting the communi-
cation to Washington for the informa-
tion of his government. He made no
Acknowledgement of its receipt. act
ing. it is understood in concert with
the representatives of the allied gov
ernments.
Following the proposal for an armi-
stice, a reduction in the Russian army
has been ordered by Nikolai Lenine,
the Bolsheviki leader. to take effect
Immediately. Simultaneously it is
stated unofficially that a Russian Dip
lomat has left Stockholm for Petro-
grad to deliver to the Russian revo-
lutionary government peace proposals
of the central powers.
Petrograd, Nov. 23.-ln connection
with the order to General Dukhonin,
commander in chief of the Russian
army. to open negotiations for an armi
stice with the enemy commanders, the
Associated Press today interviewed
Leon Trotzky. the Bolsheviki foreign
minister. Trotzky emphati tically declared
that the Soldiers and Workmen's gov
ernment was against a separate peace
with Germany. He voiced his convlc-
ton that Russia's initiative in offer
ing peace will be supported by the
proletariat of all countries, allied or
belligerent, which will make impos-
sible a continuation of the war even
| if the governments do not accept the
| offer.
What are the plans and intentions
| Of your government" the correspon
| dent inquired.
The solsheviki Program.
1.-The plans and intentions of the
government. are outlined in the pro-
gram of the Bolsheviki party to which
| the all Russian congress of Soldiers
| and Workmen's delegates entrusted
| the formation of IA Soldiers and Work
mems government" the foreign min
| lister answered.
First there will be the immedi-
| ate publication of all secret trea-
ties and the abolition of secret
diplomacy.
Second an offer of an immedi-
ate armistice on all fronts for the
| conclusion of Il democratic peace.
| Third the transfer of all lands
| to the peasants.
| Fourth, the establishment of
state control of industries through
! the medium of organized workmen
and employees; the naturalization
| Of the most important branches of
industry.
Fifth the delivery of all author
! ity to local Soldiers and Work
mems deputies.
sixth the convocatiOn of a con-
stituent assembly, which will in
troduce its reforms through the
medium of the soldiers and Work
mems deputies and not through
the old bureaucracy on an APP
pointed date
Will Go to People.
what will the government do Il
Russia's allies refuse to enter into ne.
SOtlatlOnS Tor peace. tne cOTfeSpOn
dent asked.
IF the allied governments do no
support the policy of n democratic
peace" Trotzky replied, the alliet
people will support us against thei
governments. Our international pol
icy is calculated. not for capitalisti'
diplomacy but, for the support of thu
working Masses"
Does the government think a sep
arate peace with Germany is possibl,
in the existing circumstances?
J. Do Not Want Separate Peace.
I'VE are against a separate peace
with Germany-we are for a universe
peace with the European nations"
What will the government do /
kGermany refuses to negotiate 70
peace-will 1t continue the war;" wa
the next question.
I'VE rely on the German army ant
the working classes to make a con
tinuation of the war impossible,
Trotzky replied.
81 If, however, our frank and homes
offers of peace meet no response. W
would declare a revolutionary wa
against German Imperialism: W
. would mobilize all our forces, confis
cate large food supplies and prosecut
the war as energetically as we di
the revolution. But we have ever
! ground to think that our offer G