New-York tribune., 1920-01-02
Signs
Truce; Peace i'm
Baltic Is Near
Agreement Reached at Dor
pat Granting Independ-
ence Believed To Be Con-
cession by Soviet ENJOYS

DCRPAT, Esthonia, Dec. 81 (By The
Associated Press).-The first step
toward peace between Esthonia and
Soviet Russia was taken tonight by the
signing of a preliminary armistice,
which is to exist one week, stipulating
an imm ediate cessation of hostilities
and covering questions concerning
Esthonian independence and military
guarantees with regard to the frontiers.
The agreement consists of five docu-
minated on twenty-four hours notice
by either side, is to be become effec-
tive January 3. Unless action is taken
to terminate it the agreement auto.
matically renews itself after seven
days.
The agreement consists of five docu-
ments, and includes map defining the
fsc cntiers. An interesting clause alb
soiyes Esthonia from all obligations
to Russia resulting from former con-
nec.icns with that country.
The signing of the agreement had
been set for l o'clock in the afternoon,
but it was not until nearly O'Clock
AA4 eAAN SNCAHHs. VIC CIIlleTECS Sue
ceeded in adjusting all details.
All Delegates Cheerful
The doors to the council room then
were thrown open and the correspond
ents Invited 70 enter The delegates
were seated at huge round table with
NJ. Posha, the Esthonian Foreign Min
lister, and Adolph Jotfe, the Bolshevik
commissioner, in The center, with their
v<nc nof do g.
other. All the delegates appeared 10 be
in cheerful mood as a result of re-
lief from the strain. of the long drawn
out and tedious negotiations. but there
was observable no spirit of comrade-
ship between the opposing factions.
The text of the clause recognizing Es-
thonia says:
in accordance with the rrinciples
proclaimed by the Soviet Russian gov
ernment of the right of all peoples to q
free determination of their nationa ity,
even to the complete secession from the
state Vo which they belong, Russia
recognizes without reservation the in
dependence of the Esthonian state and
freely abdicates for all time all the
sovereign rights which belonged to
Russia with respect to Esthonia's land
and people in accordance with former
SCdIe OIOeTS, DIS wen as LlOSG TlPntS
given under international treaties. Es-
thonian land and people have no obli-
cations whatever with respect to Rus
sia because Of the former connections
of Esthonia with Russia"
Armies to Hold Positions
The agreement stipulates that during
the cessation of hostilities the respec-
tive armies shall remain on the terri
tory held by each and that the land be-
tween them shall be considered a neu.
trail zone.
The frontier is fixed at ten kilo.
meters eastward of Lake Peipus, cross.
ing Lake Peipus and Lake Pskov, anc
running thence southwark to the east
of Isborsk. The present Esthonian mil.
itary line is left approximately intact
The frontier settled is regarded as ar
important Esthonian victory
The signing of the armistice pro-
ceeded expeditiously. Only twenty
minutes were required for the fornali.
ties. The clerks staff, which included
many young women. chatted uncon.
cernedly at the tables in corners of the
room. NJ. Joffe, wearing red insignis
in the lapel Of his frock coat, offered
the only color to the gathering, except
that stalwart Bolshevik clerk sportee
flashy sweater.
| LONDON. Friday. Jan. 2.-Represen