Arizona republican., 1918-01-18

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 the Russian delegation has done, that the Russian republic has such right, then the extent of territory, the poli- tital provisions for the exercise of the right of elfIdetermination, the tran sitory regime and the form of express sion of the will of the people are points on which an endeavor to reach an ad- iustment must be made.
 Would Dismember Russia
 The assertion that the right of self determination is an attribute of na- tions 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 grafton. It is by no means assumed however, that limits of occupation are to be taken as the standard for fixing the boundaries of such portions
 "Courland Lithuania 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 countries. They do not intend to compel the ter ritOries to accept this or that form of state, but they reserve for themselves and for the peoples of occupied terri tories a free hand for the conclusion of treaties of every kind.
 As to the declarations in this re- spect they pass over the fundamental difference which the constituted dele cations are repeatedly pointing out The withdrawal of the armies is inn possible so long as the world war lasts. However, in the event of military con- ditionS permitting one may endeavor to bring about a reduction Of the occupy ing troops to such a number as is ab- s0lutely necessary for the maintenance of order the technical requirements of the country. The setting up of na- tiOnal gendarmerie may be striven for.
 As regards the return to their homes of refugees and those persons evacuated during the war, a benevolent examination into the matter may take place from time to time. This question could, as it is not of outstanding po- litical importance be entrusted to a special commission.
 Russians Have Some Rights
 The Russian proposal is not suffi- ciently clear in detail and necessitates further explanation. However, it is ad- mitted without further argument that with the progressive approach of a general peace chosen representatives Of the people of the country will CO., operate to an r-increasing extent ir administrative tasks The allied (Teu- tonic) delegations are prepared to agree in principle that the peoples vote nn broad lines be sanctioned on the basis of citizenship. The setting up ot a referendum appears to be impracti- cable. In the opinion of the allied dele cations 1t would suffice if vote on a wide basis were taken from an elected and supplemented representative body
 ''It may also be pointed out that the setting up of states within the former Russian imperial empire rec oSnized by the government of the peoples commissaries, such, for in stance, as the Ukraine and Finland was brought about, not in the way of referendum. but by resolutions by a national assembly elected on a wide basis.
 Inspired by the desire to en- deaVor to reach an understanding with the Russian government, the governments of Germany and Austria Hungary, have made these far-reach- ing proposals and at the same time they add to them that they repre- sent the most extreme limits within which they still hope to come tC a peaceful understanding. During the development of these fundamental principles they have been permeated as in duty bound, by the intention, o1