The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-01-03
REACH TERMS
OF AGREEMENT
Russo. Teuton Peace Proposals
Are Made Public
TAl EVACUATION OF POLAND
by Bolsheviki Government
Which WIN Withdraw Sias Troops
From Countries Nov Occupied by
rhen--Germany Apparently Evades
Question Of Giving Up Territory

grest l.itoysk, Dec 81. Provisional
agreement on IA series of important
points. including territory liberation
of war prisoners and resumption OF
commercial relations. was reached ny
the delegates Of Russia and the cen
tral powers In discussion OF issues
which, In the event Of general
peace, would have TO be settled among
the nations represented In the negotl-
atoms here.
This provisional discussion was ter.
minated Sunday, the basis OF an
agreement being adopted under the
reservation that ii was to be exam
ined by the governments represented
BY the delegates.
In respect OF treaty relations an M
derstanding was arrived al regarding
the restoration OF the situation as II
existed when the war began.
II was provided that certain laws
adopted during the war shall he can
celled and that those affected there
by shall be restored to their previous
rights or UNIDENTIFIED.
The rules in regard to payment OF
| war costs and damage were Defined IN
greater detail. Provisions were made
| concerning damages suffered by civ
ilians outside the war area.
An agreement in principle was
reached regarding the reciprocal I'D
GRAFTON and return to their homes OF
war prisoners and informed civilians
md also for the return of captured
| merchant vessels.
Speedy resumption Of diplomatic
| and consular relations is embraced
In the understanding. II is set forth
that there shall be immediate stop
page of economic warfare, establish
ment OF commercial intercourse and
the organized exchange Of commod-
tiles.
A substantial understanding was ar
rived at on which the basis OF eco
nnmic relations shall be settled per-
manebtly.
Regarding the question Of occupied
territory the Russians made the fol
low ng proposal:
"In full accord with the public dec
lrration of both the contracting par
tIips that they cherish no bellicose
plans. and desire to conclude peace
without anneyations. Russia will With
6raw her troops from all parts OF
Austria. Hunpary, Turkey and Persia
occupied by her. while the powers OF
the quadruple alliance will withdraw
theirs from Poland.
In accordance with the principles
Of the Russian government, which mas
declared the right Of all peoples living
In Russia to self-determinaiion, in
Guiding even separation, the popula'
tion of these districts will he given an
opr0rtunity within the shortest pos
sihle period of deciding entirely and
freely the question Of their union
| with one or the other empire, or their
formation into independent states.
| an this connection the presence OF
1 apv troons. apart from national or
local militia, in the territories which
i are voting shall not he permissible
until this question is decided. The
1 government Of these regions will re-
main in the hands Of representatives
| n the local populations. elected demo
cratically. The date Of evacuation
and other circumstances and the com
mencement Of rehabilitation Of the
army is to he fixed by a special mill
tarv commission"
j Germany then proposed the follow
Ing form for the first articles OF
preliminary treaty:
"First-Russia and Germany are to
4 declare the state Of war at an end
i Both nations are resolved TO live to
gether in the future In peace and
4 friendship on conditions Of complete
raeiprocity. Germany will be ready
rs soon MS peace is concluded witt
Il Russia and the rehabilitation OF the
i Russian armies has been ACCOMPLISHED
to evacuafe her present positions ir
I occupied Russian territory. insofar as
no different influences result from ar
ticle q
I "Second--The Russian government
! having in accordance with It's princi
] pIes proclaimed for all peoples with
ont exception living within the Rus
} sian empire the right Of self.determin
alton. including complete separation
} takes cognizance Of the decisions ex
pressing the will Of people demandin,
full state OF independence and sep
aratlon from the Russian empire 10
Poland LIthuania. Conrland and por
tons OF Esthonia and Lvonia.
The Russian government recog
nizes that in the present circum
stances these manifestations must b.
reyarde as an expression OF the WI
of the people and Is ready 10 draw
conclusions therefrom. As in thos'
districts to which the foregoing stipu
lations apply the question Of evaeua
ton Is not such a. provided In arficl'
IL. special commission shall discus
and Ak the time and other details II
conformity and In accordance with tn
Ruseian idea NJ the necessary ratifica
tion by picoescite on broad line
| md without any military pressur