New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-26
Soviets Ready
To Talk Peace;
Claim Victory
Bolsheviki Surprised at Al
lied Offer Under Present
circumstances, Paris Hears
Others Protest at Plan
Russian Political Organiza-
tons Sec Nothing TO BE
GainedbyP rleyWitIl Reds

Gained yP arleyW itIl Reds
PARIS, Jan. 25.-Thc Russian Boil
sbevik government at Moscow, accord
ing to information received by the So
e;alist newspaper a. Humanite." is sur
prised that the suggestion made by the
Allied and associated powers for a con-
ference between the Russian factions
comes at q time when the Bolsheviki
are victorious in the field The Boil
sheviki. however, the advices add, do
not reject the principle Of confer
ence.
Vladimir Bourtzef, a we'll known
Russian revolutionist, in an article in
the "Matin." says that the Russian par
ties oOuosed to the Bolsheviki will pos
itively refuse to attend the conference
on Princes Islands. because they look ON
the Bosheviki as traitors to the father
land and as murderers who have dis
honored Russia
sador to France, the article adds, de-
clares that all Russians in Paris feel
deeply Inundated by the proposal of
the Allied and associated powers. The
ambassador added that a party truce
and cessation Of hostilities, as request
ed by the Allies, could have only one
result-the hampering of the armies
which are about to liberate Northern
Russia without putting an end to the
reign of terror. The ambassador is
quoted as declaring that only the Boil
sheviki viii profit by such confer
ence.,
Protest to Clemenceau
The Council of the National and
Democratic bloc of Russian political
organizations abroad has sent strong
" worded protest to Premier Clemen-
ceau against the decision of the SUI
preme Council to call conference of
the Russian factions.
I'VE would be men without honor
and courage if we accepted for single
moment truce such as is proposed to
US while all that are dear are in dan
ger Of death.violent death by eXecu-
ton or assassination or slow death
through hunger the protest says in
part
The interest OF humanity in gen
eral, and democracy in particular" the
protest adds. REQUIRES the establish
ment in Russia of regime based on
<f n, C,1lD 4,.an ~
expressed. An improvised meeting at
the Princes Islands cannot be an eX-
preston of this sort. Russia has long
dlamored for the free election of a
Constituent Assembly. The attempt
vas stfled BY the Rolsheviki by force
Of arms, and they are to-day asked to
make the voice Of Russia heard
Surprised at France
Abiding to the decision Of the Su-
premc Council of the peace conference
to send d delegation to meet represent
tatives OF the various Russian factions,
which decision has been objected to in
some Russian quarters as not in line
with the real interests of the Russian
people, Easile Makla ~Sff. the Russian
Ambassador to France, .aid
THE presence of France and America
at the peace conference is guarantee
that any unfriendly intention toward
Russia. even if there We're such, would
not be countenanced. it is most
strange. however, that France, which,
on December 20, in abiding to Boil
shevism while stating her attitude tow
never have anything to do with crime
should now have joined in the proposal
10 hold discussion with Boisheyik
delegates at the Princes Islands"
Discussing Japan's attitude on the
Russian question, Baron Maxine, head
OF the Japanese delegation to the peace
conference, said:
Japan Seeks Settlement
"Japan has everything to gain from a
prosperous Russia. The richer and the
more orderly she is the better customer
she makes for our exports, we, in our
turn becoming q good market for the
products she has 10 offer. Therefore,
II is to our reciprocal advantage that
peace and order be restored in Russia.
II l. with the greatest regret that we
have Witnessed the spread Of retlt
IN Russia. Our chief wish is That
normal conditions may soon prevail
there. Whoever thinks that Japan can
nave any interest in seeing Russia suf-
Ter misfortune must be entirely una
ware Of the true feeling Of the Japan
ese toward our great neighbour"
It may be noted in connection with
the attitude Of Ambassador Maklakof
toward the Bolshevik regime that his
own brother, former Minister under
the empire, was killed by the Bolghe-
Flki. His fate was uncertain for some
'ilne. and the ambassador inquired re
garding il through Harold Scaycnius,
the Danish Minister to Russia, who re