Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1918-01-18

lAOAAdl IOnAA1ACs II LNN-
Delegation takes note of the dec
laratiOn that the Russian government
from the fact that the occupied regions
having belonged to the former Russian
imperial empire, does not draw any
conclusions which would impose any
political obligations upon the peoples
of these territories in relation to the
Russian republic. and that the old from
tiers OF the former Russian empire
frontiers established by acts of force
and crime against such peoples. and
especially against the Polish people
have disappeared. together with car
dom-
Real Freedom"
1T also takes not. that therefore
the principal task before the Russian
government in the negotiations now
in progress does not consist in any way
in defending the fOrceful keeping OF
territories within the borders of the
Russian empire, but in guaranteeing
real freedom and the right of self-de-
termination in relation to their inter
nal state regime and international pO-
sitiOn on the territories
in this connection il might be ask
ed from what system of law does the
present Russian government deduee
its right and duty of assuring the real
freedom and self-determinatiOn of
these territories TO the uttermOst-
that is TO say, even under certain cir
cumstances 20 a continuation of the
war. II the fact that the occupied ter
ritOries belonged to the former Rus
sian imperial empire by no means i'm
poses any duty upon the population OF
these territories toward the Russian
republic then it is not obvious. with
out further explanation. on what the
Russian republic intends TO base its
rights and duties as regards that popu-
latiOn-
If. however, one takes the stand as
the Russian delegation has done, that
the Russian republic has such a right,
then the extent Of territory, the politi-
cal provisions for the exercise Of the
right of self-determination the transi-
tory regime and the form of express
sion of the will Of the people are
points on which an endeavor to reach
an adjustment must be made.
The assertion that the right of self
determination is an attribute of ma
tons and not of parts of nations; Is
not our conception of the right of self
determination Parts of nations can
justly conclude independence and sep
aratiOn- II is by no means assumed.
however, that limits of occupation are
to be taken as the standard for fixing
the boundaries of such portions
National Units.
''COurland, Lithuanian and Poland
also constitute national units from a
historical point of view. Germany and
Austria-Hungary have no intention of
Incorporating territories now occupied
by them into their respective coun-
tries They do not intend TO compel
the territories in dispute to accept this
form Of state, but they reserve for
themselves and for the peoples of oc-
eupied territories a free hand for the
conclusion of treaties of every kind
AS to the declarations in this re-
spect they pass over the fundamental
differences which the constituted del
The withdrawal of the armies is i'm
possible so long as the world war
lasts However, in the event OF mill
tary conditions permitting one may en-
deavOr to bring about a reduction of
the occupying troops TO such a num-
Der as is absolutely necessary for the
of order and the techni-
cal requirements of the country. The
setting up Of national gendarmer1e
may be striven for
AS regards the return TO their
homes Of refugees and those persons
evacuated during the war. a benevo-
lent examination into the matter may
take place from time to time. This
question could, as il is not of outstand-
ing political importance, be entrusted
TO a special commission
Proposal Not Clear.
Inc Russian proposal IS not sUffi-
GENTLY clear in detail and necessitates
further explanation However, it is
admitted without further argument
that with the progressive approach OF
a general peace chosen representa-
tives OF the people of the country will
cooperate TO an ever-increaslng ex-
tent IN administrative tasks. The al
lied (TeutOnicl delegations are pre-
pared TO agree in principle that the
peoples vote on broad lines be sane
toned on the basis of citizenship. The
setting up OF a referendum appears TO
be improbable In the opinion OF
the allied delegation it would suffice
if a vote on a wide basis were taken
from an elected and supplemented
body.
1T may also be pointed out that the
setting up OF states within the for
mer Russian emperial empire recogniZ,
ed by the government of the peoples
such. for instance. as
the Ukraine and Finland. was brought
about, not in the way OF a referendum,
but Oy resolutions by a national as
sembly elected on a wide basis.
Far esching Proposals"
Inspired by the desire to endeavor
to reach an understanding with the
Russian government, the governments
Of Germany and Austria-Hungary have
made these far reaching proposals. and
az the same time they add to them
that they represent the most extreme
limits within which they still hope TO
come to a peaceful understanding
During the development of these fun
iamentaI principleS thew have been