New-York tribune., 1918-01-18

say, as from the 4th of July. l776.
quite independent of its recognition on
the part of England in the treaty Of
the year 1892. Droit international
Codihc, page i60.'
"Thc delegation takes note Of the
declaration that the Russian govern
ment. from the fact that the occupied
Russian Imperial Empire does no.
draw any conclusions which would i'm
pose any political obligation upon the
peoples of these territories in rcla-
tion to the Russian Republic. and that
the old frontiers of the former Rus
sian Empire frontiers established BY
acts of force and crime against such
peoples, and especially against the
Polish people-havc disappeared, to-
gether with Czardom.'
Real Freedom Is Problem
at also takes note that Therefore
the principal task before the Russian
government III the negotiations now in
progress does not consist in any way
in defending the forccful keeping of
territories within tho borders of the
Russian Empire, but in guaranteeing
real freedom and the right of self
determination in relation to their in
ternal state regime and international
position of the tcrrtories.'
I'm this connection it might be asked
from what system of law does the
present Russian government dcduce 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 circum-
stances to continuation OF the war?
If the fact that the occupied territories
belonged to the former Russian I'M
perlal Empire by no means imposes any
duty upon the population Of these ter
ritories toward the Russian Republic,
then it is not obvious. without further
explanation. on what the Russian Re
public intends to base its rights and
duties as regards that population.
"lt, however. one takes the stand,
as the Russian delegation has done,
that the Russian republic has such a
right. then tn extent of territory. the
political provisions for the exercise
of the right of self determination. the
transitory regime and the form Of
expression OF the will Of the people
are points on which an endeavor to
reach an adjustment must be made.
Problem of Poland
"Thc assertion that 1ne right self de
termination is an attribute of nations
and not Of parts of nations, is not our
conception of the right of self-deter-
mination. Parts nations can justly
conclude independence and separation.
1t is by no means assumed, however.
that limits of occupation arc to be
taken as the standard for fixing the
boundaries OF such portions
"Courland, Lithuania and Poland also
Constitute national units from a his
torical pon. of view Germany and
Hungary have no intention Of
Incorporating territories now occupied
by them into their respective countries.
They do not intend to compel the terri
tories in dispute to accept this or that
form of state. but they reserve for
themselves and for the peoples of oc-
cupied territories a free hand for the
conclusion of treaties of every kind"
Armies to Remain
CAS- to the declarations in this re-
spect, they pass over the fundamental
differences which the constituted dele
cations are repeatedly pointing out.
The withdrawal of the armies is i'm
possible so long as the world war lasts
However, in the event of military con-
ditions permitting, one may endeavor
TO bring about reduction Of the occu-
pying troops to such a number as is
absolutely necessary for the main
tenance of order and the technical re-
Qulrcments of the country. The set
ting up of national gendarmerie may
be striven for.
GAS regards the return to their
homes of refugees and those persons
evacuated during the war, benevolent
examination into the matter may take
place from time to time. This ques-
ton could, as it is not Of outstanding
ri ha ont ,c. Il TO
a special commiss ion.
The Russian proposal is not suf
fciently clear in detail and necessi-
tates further explanation. However,
it is admitted without further argu-
ment that with the progressive ap-
proach OF !. general peace chosen rep
rcscntatvcs of the people of the coun
Try Will coOpcratc.tO an cVer-lncreaSlng
extent III administrative tasks. The
allied (Tcutonic) 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 d referendum appears to
be impracticable. In the opinion Of
the allied delegations it would suffice
if vote on a wide basis were taken
from an elected and supplemented rep
rcsentativc body.
at may also be pointed out that the
/ setting up Of states within the former
I Russian imperial empire recognized by
the government of the Peoples Com
missarics, such. for instance, as the
Ukraine and Finland, was brought
about, not in the way Of a referendum
but by resolutions by a national as
sembly elected on a wide basis.
No More Concessions
"Inspired by the desire to cndeavor
to reach an understanding with the
Russian government, the governments
OF Germany and Austria hungary have
made these iarreaching proposals. and
at the same time they add TO them that
they represent the most extreme limits
within which they still hope to come
TO a peaceful understandings During
the DEVELOPMENT of these fundamental
principles they have been permeated, as
in duty bound, by the intention of not
allowing any weakening in their de-
fensivc capacity so long as the wretch-
ed war continues, and also by the in
tention that certain peoples on terri
tory adjacent to their own shall finally
and Independently be placed in a posi-
ton to decide their own future, with
out thereby falling INTO a state of cX-
tremc need, misery and desperation.
IAN understanding between Russia
and the Central Empires on these diff
ticult questions. however. is only pos,
sibc if Russia shows an earnest de
sire to reach am understanding. anc
if she will endeavor, instead of at
torial aims. to see the question from
i