The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-12-31

rights or indemnified.
The rules in regard to payment OF
war costs and damage were defined in
greater detail. Provisions were made
concerning damages sustained by
civilians outside the war area.
An agreement in principles was
reached regarding the reciprocal liber-
alton and return to their homes Of war
prisoners and interned civilians. and
also for the return of captured mer-
chant vessels.
Central Powers Want Food.
Speedy resumption of diplomatic
and consular relations is embraced in
there shall be immediate stoppage of
economic warfare, establishment of
commercial intercourse and the or
ganized exchange Of commodities.
Regarding the question of occupied
territory. the Russians made the fol-
lowing proposals:
Evacuats Occupied Territory.
In full accord with public decIara-
tiOns of both the contracting parties
that they cherish no bellicose plans
annexations. Russia will withdraw her
troops from all parts of Austria Hun
gary. Turkey and Persia occupied by
her while the powers of the quadruple
alliance will withdraw theirs from Po-
land. In accordance with the prin-
ciples of the Russian government
which has declared the right of all
peoples living in Russia to self deter
mination. including even separation
the populations of these districts vii
be given an opportunity within thu
, shortest possible period of deciding
| entirely and freely the question o.
their union with one or the other EN-.
pire, OF their formation into independ
ent states.
Commission to Decide.
| In this connection, the presence o
any troops. apart from national o
local militia, in the territories which
Are voting shall not be permissible
until this question is decided. Th'
government OF these regions will re
main in the hands Of representative
of the local populations, elected demo
cratically. The date of evacuation an,
other circumstances and the com
mencement of rehabilitation of tn
army is to be fixed by a special mill
tary commission.
Germany then proposed the follow
| ing form for the first articles OF
preliminary treaty which is to be con
:. Cluded:
First Russia and Germany are Z
declare the state Of war at an end.
Both nations are resolved to liV
together in future in peace and friend
ship on conditions of complete reel
procity. Germany will be ready a
soon as peace is concluded with Rus
sia and the rehabilitation of the Rus
sian armies has been accomplished.
evacuate her present positions In od
cupied Russian territory, in so far
no different inferences result frol
; article ..
Second-The Russian governmei
having In accordance with its prir
, ciple proclaimed for all people witho'
! exception, living within the Russia
empire, the right of self determine
ton. including complete separation
, takes cognizance of the decisions e,
! pressing the will of people demandiI
, a full state Of Independence and sci
arations from Russian empire for p
land. Lithauania. Courland. and ro
tions of Esthonia and Livonia.
Plsbiscite to Ratify.
,rh. n,.ssac c.o,,or,p,ap% racnvn;z
that in the present circumstanc
these manifestations must be regard'
, as an expression OF the will of the pc
pie and Is ready to draw conclusion
therefrom. As in those districts
which the foregoing stipulations al
i ply. the question Of evacuation Is II
such as provided for in article 1,
special commission shall discuss al
fix the time and other details in co
1 formity and in accordance with I
/, Russian idea of the necessary ratii
s cation by plebiscite on broad lin
: and without any military pressu
e whatever of the already existi
: proclamation of separation.
o The Austrian delegation made
c similar statement.
Russian Standpoint.
:, The Russian delegation took co
= nizance OF these statements and $
I forth its standpoint as follows:
Our standpoint Is that only su
manifestation Of will can be regard
:, as a de facto expression of the will
!, the people as results from a free W
!" In the districts in question. with
4 lConfin,acA nm no1n Tan