Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-12-28

Alliance are agreed lmmeulatelY ~
conclude a general peace without
forcible annexations and indemnities.
They share the view of the Russian
delegation which condemns the con-
tinuation of the wal purely for aims
Of conquest.
THE statesmen of the Allied (Teu-
tonic6 governments in programs n
statements. have emphasized time n
again that for The sake Of conquest
they will not prolong the war a single
day. The governments of the Allies
u~nswervingly have followed this view
all the time. They solemnly declare
their resolve Immediately to sign terms
of peace which viii stop this war on
the above terms, equally just to all
~belligerents without exception.
1T is necessary. however. to indi-
cate most clearly that the proposals Of
the Russian delegation could be real
lied only in case all the Powers pal
ticipating in the war obligate them
selves ~scrupulously to adhere to the
terms in common with all peoples.
The powers of the Quardruple Ali
ance 10Y negotiating with Russia can
not. Of course, one-sidcdiy bind hem
u SUN lis Az 'o iAo -
guarantee that Russia's allies will
recognize and carry out these terms
honestly without reservation with re-
gard to the Q~uardruple Alliance. start
ing upon these principles and regarding
the six clauses proposed by the Rus
sian delegation as a basis Of regotia-
lions, The following must be stated:
Clause 1-Forcible annexations Of
territories seized during the war does
not enter into the intentions Of the AL
lied lowers. Abou troops now occu-
pying seized territories, it must be slip
ulated in the peace treaty, if there is
no agreement before, regarding the
evacuation of these places.
CLAUSE 1T is not the intention of
the allies to deprive the political indie
pandence of those nations which lost
IL during the war.
Clause 3-The question of subsection
to that or the other country of those
n~ationalities who have not political in
dependence, cannot, in the opinion of
The powers of the Quadruple ALI
ance, be solved internationally. In this
case, it must be solved ~ each govern
ment together with Its people in a man
ner established by the constitution.
Clause 4-Likewise in accordance
with the declarations of statesmen of
the Quadruple Alliance the protection
of the rights Of minorities constitutes
an essential component part of the con
j stitutional rights Of peoples to self de-
termination. The allied governments
also grant validity to this principle ey-
eryWhere, insofar as it is practically
realiZable.
Clause -The Allied powers have fire.
quently emphasized the possibility that
both sides might renounce not only IN
Identification for war costs but also IN
demnitication for war da&,asss. In these
circumstances every belligerent power
would have only to make decentralization
for expenditures for its nationals who
have become prisoners of war, as we'll as
for damage done in it's own territory by
Illegal acts of force committed against
civilian nationals belonging to the enemy.
The Russian governments proposal for
the creation of a special fund for this
purpose could be taken into consideration
only If the other bclligerent powers were
TO join in the peace negotiations within a
suitable period.
Return Of Seized Colonies.
Glause r-OL the TOUR Allied powers,
Germany alone possesses colonies. On
the part OF the German delegation, in fun
accord with the Russian proposals regard
Ing that, the following is declared:
The return Of colonial territories forci-
bly, seized during the war constitutes an
essential part OF German demands, which
Germany cannot renounce under any cir
cumstancs. Likewise the Russian demand
LOT immediate evacuation of territories
occupied by an adversary conforms to
German intentions. Having IN view the
nature of the colonial territories of Cor
many, the realization of the right of self.
determination. beside the above outlined
considerations in the form proposed bv
ne russian delegation is at present prac-
tioally impossible.
me circumstance that in the German
coiohles the natives. Notwithstanding tho
greatest difficulties and the improbabjUty
OF victory in a struggle against an adver-
sary many times stronger and who had
the advantage Of unlimited inport hv co,
remained in the gravest circumstances
faithful to their German friends NOV
serve as proof of their attachment ana
'Eelr resolve by all means to preserve a.
Ns'dhce 10 Germany. proof of which bv
1" sishilcance and weight is far superior
70 any expression of popular will.
The principle of economic ,o,ati,
proposed by the Russian delegation in
connection with the above sjy cIaIsag
are approved wholly by the DELEGATIONS
on me small allied powers. who ALWAYS
nave denied any economic rest rictions
ana who see in the e-establisbmen+ oe
regulated Vconomic reIa tions. which
are in accordance with the interests
Oh an people concerned. one of the most
important conditions for brineing
about friendly relations between The
powers now engaged in war"
chairman 1offe OF the Russian do,e-
COTTON expressed qualification at the
Willingness Of Germany to conclude
peace on the basis of no annexatione
no 1ndemnities and the selr-defnition
OF peoples. but pointed out that The
se1-dehnition of peoples within the
limits granted by constitutions. as st,+-
Cd hy the German reply. was not com
plete.
REGARDING compensation for the
maintenance of prisoners of war .bo
russian chairman said it might he