New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-09-25
Reds Propose
AT'11listice and
Milder Terms
Allow Warsaw Peace Envoys
Ten Days to Decide; Will
Begin Winter Campaign
if Offers Are Refused
Give Up Claims to Calicia
Virtually ALI of the Fifteen
Points Objectionable to
the Poles Are Withdrawn

RIGA, Latvia, Sept. "a (By The AS
ISOLATED Press .-Adolph Joffe, head of
the Soviet peace delegation, at to-day'e
session of the Russo-Polish peace con-
ference. proposed an armistice, which,
he said, must be accepted by the Poles
within ten days or the Russian winter
campaign would be inaugurated, which
Joffe declared the Soviet government
desired to avoid
NJ Joffc preceded his proposal by Of
fering to withdraw virtually all the
fifteen peace points submitted at
Mlnsk to which the Poles objected.
The Soviet armstice terms, which
NJ. Joffe said the Soviet Central Execu-
tive Committee IN Moscow decided
upon yesterday, eliminate virtually ali
conditions designed to sovietize Poland
and abandon the Russian claims re-
garding Galicia.
M. Joffc's proposals make the pros
pect of peace much brighter than
hithe rto
Ready to Withdraw Minsk Terms
NJ. Joffe said the Soviets recopnized
the fact that the Minsk points were
not acceptable to the Poles and. de-
siring peace. were willing to withdraw
them; tie mentioned specifically de-
mob llzatlon of the Polish army, the
Workmen'S militia, Soviet control Of
the Bialystok Grajevo railway connec-
ing. Russia with East Prussia and do.
mobllization Of Polish munitions
plant. 0'''
When to-day's session opened NJ
Joffe asked NJ Domski, Polish J-nder
Secretary of Foreign Affairs and head
of the Polish delegation, to refrain
from presenting the Polish counter.
proposals. which were on the order of
the day, so as to give the Soviet dele
gates chance to read the declaration
decided upon by the Moscow Central
Committee.
d, The declaration opened by accusing
the Entente of driving the Poles TO-,
ward a winter campaign with the de-
sire to destroy both Poland and Russia
A. Jofe said the Soviets would agree
to self determination for the litigious
countries. namely White Russia Lith-
uanla and Ukraina, and want Poland
to recognize their Independence. He
declared the Soviets would agree to a
pleblsclte of the bourgeoisie in east
Gallcla, not insisting upon use of the
Soviet method because Galicia was
NV oOEictlHeu ne TOleS, however. he
said, must recognize the Soviets as
now existing in other countries.
Soviets Want to Hasten Peace
The Soviets, NJ. Joffe declared. be-
cause of the existence Of differences of
opinion concerning the methods Of
holding the plebiscitc, would POSTPONE
discussion of the methods so as to
hasten peace NJ Joffc announced tina t
these conditions would remain effective
until October .. after which the Soviets
would reserve the right to change their
terms. If the Poles do not accent them
by that date, he added, the Sovlets will
know the Poles want to continue tho
war and the resultant winter campaign
"under pressure of the imperlaistic
Entente"
The Moscow Central Committec's
declaration SAID tho Sovets were pre-
pared to Sign an armisticc and pre-
limlnarY peace terms upon the basis
Of Il line being recognized as the from
tier between Poland and Russia, which
would run considerably east of the
line fixed by the Allied Supreme Coun-
Gil December 3, 1919, eastern Galicia
remaining west Of this frontier" Thus
Galicia would remain in the hands of
the Poles.
Following NJ. Joffe. NJ. Dombski pre-
sented the Polish preliminary terms,