The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-23
TrOtsky Has Delivered Edict to
Allied Embassies.
On Basis of No AnneXatiOns
and No Indemnities.
HUNS SEND OFFER TO RUSSIA
Slav Diplomat Bearing Offer
Leaves Stockholm.
He Is Speeding to PetrOgrad on
Special Train.

SptCldA AdAhs
Washington, Nov. 23.-Bo1shevih
overtures for an armistice will go un-
needed by the United States. govern
ment officials indicated today.
While such overtures have not
reached the United States yet, press
reports indicate that they have been
made and that Ambassador Francis
is forwarding the same to Washing
ton.
The government is likely to make
sharp retort in an effort to inspire
loyal Russians and to discredit the
ra-radicals, it was intimated.
Text of Russian Proposal.
Petrograd, Nov. 23.-The note of
Leon Trotsky, the Bolsheviki foreign
minister to the allied embassies con-
veying the announcement of the pro-
poSal for an armistice, reached the
embassies last night The next fol-
lows:
Il herewith have the honor to inform
you. Mr. Ambassador, that the all Russian
congress of soldiers and workmen's dele
gates organized on October 26, a new gov
ernment in the form of a council of national
commissioners. The head of this govern
meut is Vladimir Ilch Lenine. The direc-
ton of the foreign polio, has been entrust-
ed to me, in the capacity of national com
missioner for foreign affairs.
Drawing attention to the text of the
offer Of an armistice and a democratic
peace, on the basis of no annexations. or
indemnities and the self determination of
nations, approved by the all Russian con
gress of soldiers and Workmens delegates.
have the honor TO beg yo1 to regard the
above document as a formal offer of an
immediate armistic all fronts and the
immediate opening of peace negotiations
an offer with which the authoritative gov
ernment of the Russian republic has adj
dressed itself simultaneously to all the Le-
ligerent peoples and their governments.
my raFaan Mr. pltacu .trr
of the profound respect of the soldiers and
workmens government for the people of
as well as all the rest of the nations ex-
hausted and made bl0odless by this unex-
ampled slaughter. L. TRoTsKY,
National Commissioner for Foreign
Affairs."
Central Powers Offer to Russia.
Stockholm. Nov. 23.-A Russian
diplomat bearing peace offers to Rus
sia from the central powers left here
on a special train today for Petro-
grad, according to the newspaper
Tidente.
London. Nov. 23.-Russia's formal
armistice with the Teutons win mere
| ly make formal cessation of fighting
which is already in full force.
No Goubt whatever was expressed
here today that the Bolsheviki would
carry thru their announced intention
to establish truce-and that the
however. wa3 not regarded as likely
to have any effect on the military
situation. Germany and Austria have
already stripped their lines on the
Russian fronts to almost nothing
Most of the troops used in the Italian
drive came from this northern war
zone.
Army in Starved Condition.
The armistice offer illustrates the
lengths to which the Russian extren
lists are prepared to go in their pro-
I gram of idyllic internationalisrn. AS
observers saw it today, the move was
/ undoubtedly made with the sympa-
( thy of a great part of the war weary
] army and citizenry. The Bolsheviki
are emphatically disclaiming any in
tention of separate peace. The arm
istice offer itself is addressed to .'alI
/ belligerents" and stress is laid in
! Petrograd dispatches on the fact that
} the offer is merely the first step in
! the ambitious-if idyllic-scheme of
the Bolsheviki for world peace.
In some circles the idea of an armis-
tice between Russia and the Teutons
was regarded favorably 1t was point
! ed out that such a formal agreement
might avoid great German drive
which would sweep thousands of
! square miles into German hands
drive timed by the enemy against a
| Russian army which is already half
starved, totally unprepared and made
i quately equipped and which could
! be made with minimum of German
military effort. The armistice NAV
enable smoothing out of the Russian
military machine and that r Lssia will
come back" the quicker
Welcome Russian Offer.
Amsterdam, Nov. 23.-Russia's ar.
mistice proposal cannot be rejected
but nevertheless ought to be care
fully examined from the standpoint OF
the entire military situation, in the
unanimous opinion of the Berlin
press, reported in dispatches today.
Acceptance" said the Vossisch,
Zeitung, depends entirely on thu
technical conditions of the proposal
which certainly will be benevolent,
examined with due regard to the mill
tary position
Francis Doesn't Reply.
The American ambassador, DaviC
r. Francis, is transmitting the com.
munication to Washington for the in
formation Of his government He mad,
no acknowledgment of its receipt
acting, it is understood, in concer'
with the representative of the allies
I governments