, 1919-01-30
BY EpwARp W. PicKARo.

Realizing that they cannot establish
peace in the world while Russia is at
war with herself and her neighbors,
the supreme council Of h peace con-
gress has invited all Russian factions
to send representatives to the Princes
islands in the sea of Marmora, that
they may there confer with representa-
tives of the associated powers with a
view to bringing about an understand
ing by which Russia may work out her
W purposes in peaceful ways. 1t
was stipulated that the Russian
factions must first cease all military
action. and the invitation made plain
that the allied powers had no intention
or desire of Interfering with the right
of the Russians to settle their differ
ences in their W way. February Is
was set as the date of the opening of
the conference.
This solution of the Russian prob
lem was presented to the supreme
council by President Wilson and in the
main is on the lines of the action pro-
posed by Premier Lloyd George. At
first the French, who admittedly are
afraid of the spread of bolshevism in
their own country. We're opposed to
treating in any way with the Russian
ho~lshevists, but they yielded to the
opinion of the majority. 1t was be-
lieved that the contending factions
would accept the invitation, since their
are nearly exhausted. The
b~olsheviki were severely defeated very
recently in northern Russia, and there
are numerous and extensive peasant
risings against their rule in the terri
tory they have controlled.
1t is understood that the allied COM
missioners who will meet the Russians
will state these four conditions as be-
ing Indispensable in bringing about an
adjustment:
First-Peace at all points.
Second-Removal of all economic
barriers which restrain the free circu-
lation or exchange of food and com
modit:es between the factional zones
and the outside world.
Third-General elections on a repre-
sentative basis.
~Fourth-Some adequate arrange
ment for the payment of debts.
The plan of the supreme council
was very badly received by the anti
bolshevik Russian leaders now in
Paris. Their comments were bitter in
the extreme and Sergius S~azanoff, rep
resentative of the governments of
Eksterinodar AND Omsk. declared he
would not sit lf conference with the
traitors who had. betrayed his country.
LA
Decision was kteached by the SUI
preme council list week on another
very troublesome matter-the Polish
question. 1t was determined to send
at once TO study this problem a mis-
sion composed ofta military and n civil
delegate from th@ United States, Great
Britain, France and Italy. Probably,
If the Russian bofsheviki remain recall
citrant, the PoliVh state will be set
up as a strong barrier between them
and western Europe.
ID
The Temps of Paris said last week
tkat the peace congress is likely to
create two commissions, one on the
league of nations and one on the COM
pensation Germahy' must pay. 1t
added that the American delegates
also proposed commissions on terri
toriaI questions, dh 'pvkrseas' terrltor-
les and ON responsibilities. 1t is said
In Paris that the EAlhe{ican delegates
are not yet satisfied as TO the respon-
sibility of the former kaiser and his
chiefs for the war. In tbisi matter they
are likely to find 'themselYes opposed