THE PEACE TERMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3330, 9 January 1918, Page 18

THE PEACE TERMS.

RUSSIA BREAKS NEGOTIATIONS.

GERMANY WITH THE MASK OFF.

ENTENTE POWERS AND THE AUSTRIAN OF^ER.

UNFAVOURABLE RECEPTION.

RUSSIAN DEMANDS. The Daily Telegraph's Milan correspondent reports that the full text of the Russian demands submitted to the Central Powers shows that they are much more detailed than hes been hitherto reported. They comprise 15 clauses, and include the evacuation of all Russian territory and autonomy for Poland, Lithuania, and the Lettish provinces, autonomy for Armenia, restoration of Serbia and Montenegro, Serbia having access to the Adriatic. Bosnia and Herzegovina to have complete autonomy, other contested territory in the Balkans to enjoy temporary autonomy until tho plebiscite is taken>. Rumania to recover all territory after promising autonom yto the Dobrudja. Autonomy for Trent and Trieste until a plebiscite is taken. Germany to receive back her colonies. Restoration of Persia and Greece. The neutralisation of maritime straits, including the Suez and Panama Canals. The torpedoing of commercial ships on the high seas to be forbidden. All belligerents to renounce war indemnities and commercial boycotts. Peace conditions to be settled publicly by delegates chosen by the various Parliaments.

Lastly, a gradual disarmament on land and sea and the establishment of a militia to replace the standing armies. Trotsky, addressing the Soviets' executive, said: Russia will insist that selfgovernment must apply to the territories and colonies seized during the war. Alsace and Lorraine are German colonies, and must be given their' choice. Seeing that Germany has declared her readiness to free the occupied territories, the Allies cannot refuse to negotiate and must clearly state their programme. < ' Trotsky said he proposed officially to ask whether the Allies- intended to support the Russian or the German peace programmes .or to propose an alternative one. Unless the Allies joined the negotiations within 10 days, Russia would be forced to conclude a separate peace. Haparanda telegrams state that the Courland Parliament has declared in favour of Courland's early cession to, Germany. Information was sent to Berlin, asking the Germans to make, the resolution known at Brest-Litovsk.

The Russian troops in Esthonia- are dis persing and returning ± home.

GERMANY'S TERMS

Germany's peace terms include a clause providing for the mutual " most favoured nation" treatment as regards trade and navigation for 20 years. Nevertheless each party to reserve to itself the right of making specially intimate commercial agreements —for instance, between Austria and Germany, or between Russia and neighbouring Asiatic countries or independent States formed out of Russia.

The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent says the German terms mean restoring the status quo, coupled with the Berlin-Bagdad scheme, and a practical victory for Germany; but the Allies cannot abandon Russia and leave her to conclude a separate and humiliating peace and to become Germany's slave. It would be short-sighted policy. Even now we have great issues at stake. Sober judgment must not be obscured by passion and prejudice. Mr Bourchier telegraphs from Petrograd that it is reported that the Austro-German peace conditions contain a provico that the peoples of Poland, Lithuania, and Eethonia have already clearly expressed their desire to be annexed to Germany ; therefore, acting on the principle that the people should exercise their right to say how they will dispose of themselves, Germany will remain in occupation of these regions.

A PREMATURE AGREEMENT.

An official telegram from Brest-Litovsk, via Berlin, states that a complete agreement has been reached regarding the restarting of commercial interests, and a substantial agreement has been reached regarding the permanent basis of RussoGerman economic relations, and regarding occupied territories. Russia proposed that Russian troops should withdraw from Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and Persia, while the Central Powers should withdraw troops from Poland, Lithuania, Corn-land, and other regions. The Russian populations in these districts, it is contended, should be'given the earliest opportunity of deciding freely and entirely the question of their union' with one or other empire or their formation into independent States. Germany then proposed that the first two articles in the preliminary treaty should provide : Firstly, that Russia and Germany declare the state of war ended, they being resolved to live together in future in peace and friendship on condition of complete reciprocity with their vis-a-vis and their allies. Germany is ready, as soon as peace is concluded with Russia and the Russian armies are demobilised, to evacuate her present positions and occupied Russian territory so far as no different inference may result from article two. Secondly, "after the Russian Government has proclaimed for all peoples in Russia their self-determination of their future fates, including complete separation, it

takes cognisance of the decisions expressing the will of the people demanding a full state of independence and separation from Russia for Poland, Lithuanian Courland, and portions of Esthonia and Livonia, as it is in these districts to which the foregoing stipulations shall apply. The question of evacuation, not being such as is provided for in article 1, a special commission shall arrange for ratification by plebiscite on broad lines, without any military pressure whatever, of the already existing separation proclamation. The Russian delegation then insisted upon definite assurances that the plebiscite should be free, and that foreign troops be completely absent, but agreed to the appointment of a special commission to arrange the plebiscite and- fix the time of evacuation.

Presiding over the third session, on the 29th inst., the Russian delegate said he anticipated a speedy end to the war. The delegates have departed homewards, and negotiations will be resumed on January 4. A German -wireless message from BrestLitovsk gives further details of the agreement reached between Russia and the Central Powers* It states that the arrangements were conducted in a conciliatory spirit with a view to mutual understanding. An agreement was reached to restore the treaty conditions interrupted by the war, and to respect all' rights of intercourse. All special war legislation is to be repealed, and persons adversely affected to be-restored to their former rights or indemnified. Details regarding war damages are left for a later determination, but arrangements were made for indemnifying civilians outside the war districts and the reciprocal return of merchant vessels. Aus-tria-Hungary has signified her agreementwith the first two articles of the peace treaty as proposed by Germany. A telegram from Berlin states that the whole of the Liberal and Socialist press are highly satisfied with the results of the Brest-Litovsk conference.

The pan-German and Conservative newspapers are much embarrassed, and do not, conceal their anger that the Government dared to assent to conditions so dangerous to the safety of the State. The Deutsche Zeitung states: ' " The Entente' have won the greatest victory of the war." 6

The pan-German newspapers declare that the proposed peace terms would annihilate three and a-half years of German victories'. They express the hope that the Entente will reject them.

NEGOTIATIONS BROKEN OFF. The Russian Government has declined the enemy peace proposals, and suggests the transfer of the negotiations to Stockholm. The Bolshevik Telegraph Agency at Petrograd confirms the report that the peace negotiations have been broken, off. • M. Trotsky (Foreign Minister) announces that Russia will not consent to Germany's terms.

M. Trotsky, addressing the Central Committee of the Soviets, unmasked what he described as the. hypocritical peace proposals of the enemy, and declared that his Government and the workers would never consent to such conditions. If the Central Powers would not consent loyally to the free disposal of the destinies of the Polish and Lettish nations, it would be urgently necessary to courageously defend the Russian revolution. Austria and Germany had refused to guarantee the immediate and irrevocable removal of thejr troops from Poland, Lithuania, Courland, and parts of x Livonia and Esthonia. A free affirmation of the will of the populations of the occupied countries was impossible until the populations had returned. The German delegates' allegation that the will of the peoples of these countries had been already manifested was foundationless, because the peoples in tho occupied territories could not express their will under martial law and military censorship.

M. Trotsky added : "We will defend the right of Poland, Lithuania, and Courland to dispose of their own destiny in a really free manner. We say to the peoples of Austria, Germany, Bulgaria, and Turkey : ' Remember, hi conclusion, that an immediate democratic peace depends upon you. All the peoples of Europe look to you. You will not permit the .Austro-Ger-man imperialists to make war upon revolutionary Russia for the subjection of Poland, Lithuania, Courland, and Armenia/ "

After the speech the Soviets carried a resolution declaring that the refusal of the representatives of Germany to allow the free right of oppressed nations' and colonies seized before the war to dispose of their own destiny signified that the German authorities were adopting the old annexationist policy. Subsequently representatives from all the fronts were telegraphically summoned to Petrograd. It is admitted that the situation at the fronts is distressing, but the armies will defend the Russian revolution, while they demand bread and boots. - GERMANY UNMASKED. The Daily News Petrograd correspondent states that on Wednesday he was present at the Smolny Institute to hear M. Kameneff (Russia's principal delegate at

the Brest-Litovsk conference) speak at the great While Hall, which was crowded. Few persons knew that the negotiations had already been stopped. M. Kameneff read reports showing that Germany tried to bind Russia to herself by the renewal of the 1904 treaty. Germany alto made several alternative proposals with the object of securing for herself the position of being the most favoured nation. The Russian delegates replied that as they favoured equality of trade they could not, while socialising industry and nationalising the banks, subscribe to principles which were contrary to Socialism. The Germans then seemed to have climbed down. But Germany disclosed the intention, under the pretext of self-definition, to retain Poland and Lithuania.^ M. Kameneff said that if Germany now moved her troops against revolutionaryRussia it -would be evident, that her purpose would be the final enslavement of Poland and Lithuania. This would instantly cause an explosion which would destroy German Imperialism. The soldier delegates then described the appalling -conditions of the army, but affirmed that they would continue the war despite those conditions unless the Germans agreed to a democratic peace. A resolution was carried denouncing the forcing of the will of strangers upon the of Poland, Lithuania, and Courland, and appealing to the peoples of the Central Powers to use pressiire on their Government to ensure a policy of no annexations and no indemnities. The Soviet organ publishes a remarkable article, which is republished in pamphlet form iii, the German language by the governing authorities with a view to distribution amongst the German troops. It declares that all the Austro-German promises of democratic.peace are unconscionable lies. After describing various exhibitions of the mailed fist the enslavement of Poland and Lithuania, shootings, and starvation, the article says: " Only German barons and landowners ask for annexation to Germany. There are people in Austria and Germany who assume that they speak for the entire population. They mean nothing but the violation of the will of the mass of workers and peasants. On such a basis the Russian Government can never enter into negotiation. The mask has fallen, and theword is now with you, German soldiers and workmen. Rise, soldiers of Germany, ?or a- revolutionary struggle against a pro-, onged war. Fire no further shot on the Russian front. Do not be the executioners of the Russian revolution. Let not a -single regiment proceed to other fronts if you wish for a general peace, and enable the.people to come to their senses." M. Pavlovitch says: The -tactics of the Austro-German peace delegates were remarkably flexible until the arrival of the Ukrainian delegation. Thereafter the Germans declared that they would not evacuate occupied territory until a general peace, because the non-Bolshevik portions of the Russian army, assisted by Britain and France, might continue fighting, and seize Brest-Litovsk and other important .strategical points. The Germans would be prepared to evacuate Belgium and France on condition that Mesopotamia and Arabia are evacuated by the British; otherwise Germany's prestige irr the Mohammedan world would receive a deathblow.

M. Pavlovitch adds: The Germans' terms, particularly for Russia,, are unacceptable.

DETAILS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS

The Daily News Petrograd correspondent states that the peace representatives of the Central Powers, presuming on Russia's isolation, claimed that Poland, Lithuania, and Courland had already defined their position; but, as Ukraina would not recognise the 'negotions, Germany demanded the retention of her garrisons at Riga, Libau, and other strategic points. The Russian delegates were uncompromising, and declared that self-definition by those provinces was impossible until the last German soldier had left the country. They jeered at the Germans, asking whether they proposed to take "Petrograd and feed three million starving folk, and disarm a country where every workman carried a rifle. They also asked what the Germans proposed to tell their own democracy in Germany, who opposed annexations.

The Germans said that they required 'time to consider the position, but the Russian delegates refused, and they have left' Brest-Litovsk. A considerable number of Red Guards have been sent by the Bolsheviks to reinforce the front, and other defence preparations are in progress. Vienna messages contradict the Daily News correspondent's version of the BrestLitovsk conference, and declare that the negotiations will be resumed on Saturday, adding that Russia has now adopted the standpoint that peoples already belonging to a definite State cannot nave the right to decide their own destinies, because they already possess constitutional means of gaining their ends. A Vienna message to Agency states that in the event of the Entente [Powers not joining in, the negotiations will be continued with a view to securing a separate peace for Russia. The Daily Chronicle says it is now evident what the Germans mean by " without annexations." The negotiations show that they expect to retain Poland, Lithuania, Courland, portions of Esfhcnia, and Livonia, where the Germans kav3 alr*idy induced or forced Assemblies to declare for separation from Russia and independence \mder a Hapsburg King of Poland and a Hohen/.ollern King of Lithuania. The Central Powers will evacuate these territories only when Russian demccratisation is completed. The cynicism of the proposals is almost too much for the Bolsheviks, but Russia has been brought to a point where the enemy can* dictate.

•V HOPEFUL PRESIDENT.

The president of the Russian peace dele gation has telegraphed to the Austro-Ger

' man, Turkish, and Bulgarian delegations that the Russian Government considers that it is urgent to immediately conduct peace pourparlers in neutral territory, and proposes to transfer them to Stockholm. The delegation awaits a reply. The chairman of the Russian peace delegation is optimistic regarding future negotiations. He believes that Germany will make further proposals. If the Allies will not particpiate in the conference, Russia will conduct negotiations on the scale of a general peace. THE GERMAN REICHSTAG. • In "the German Reichstag, the Chancellor stated that Germany had rejected the Russian proposal to transfer the negotiations to Stockholm. Regarding Russia's declaration, Germany could not accept the terms regarding the evacuation of territories and a plebiscite of those peoples regarding their future destinies. He added: "We can cheerfully rely upon our strong position." t The Chancellor confirmed Germany's intention to negotiate with the Ukrainian plenipotentiaries. The Chancellor announced that Herr yon Dembussche, TJnder-secretary for Foreign Affairs, would report upon the peace negotiations, after which the Government and the Reichstag would confidentially discuss them, and make weighty and fateful decisions. The speech gave no details, and only a brief report of the discussion was permitted, containing a declaration by a Centre deputy that the present constitutional bodies of Courland, Poland, and Lithuania entitled to express the people's will as regards the destiny of these territories, and some mild Socialist criticism. Herr von Kuhlmann, German Foreign Secretary,' has left Berlin for Brest-Litovsk. The Social Democrats presented a demand that the President of the Reichstag should immediately summon the Reichstag to discuss foreign policy in view of the Brest-Litovsk negotiations. The Socialists are indignant over von Kuhlmann's intention indirectly to annex Russian territory. Details of the negotiations at BrestLitovsk have also produced great uneasiness among the National Liberals, espa* cially the merchants. The Hamburg branch of that party adopted a resolution condemning a peace which will not ensure the consolidation of Germany's position overseas and an adequate war indemnity. Baron von Hertling has agreed that the Reichstag shall discuss in a secret session Herr Haas's interpellation on the BrestLitovsk peace terms. . Herr von Dem Bussche (Under-secretary for Foreign Affairs), speaking before the Main Committee of the Reichstag on Satui'day, said that Germany adhered to her formula regarding the national rights of self-destination. Russia had not definitely refused the formula, but had agreed to further discussion. The Socialist section of the Reichstag discussed the situation on Sunday, and urgently requested the Government to adhere to the no-annexation programme announced on Christmas Day,, withdrawing the later terms, which Russia would never accept. The Leipzig Volks Zeitung accuses von Kuhlmann of lying and fraud. The Zeitung says that everyone in Germany, Russia., and the Allied countries now know that Germany is not aiming for a just peace, such as von Kuhlmann depicted on December 25, but for an enormous increase in Germany's power, which will only strengthen the Allies' desire to continue the war to victory. THE CROWN COUNCIL MEETS. The Kaiser, von Hindenburg, and v ßaron von Hertling have agreed to issue immediate fresh instructions for negotiations at Brest-Litovsk. The Frankfurter Zeitung's Berlin correspondent say 6 that the Crown Council have subjected the results of the Brest-Litovsk negotiations to severe criticism, whereupon new lines for the German representatives will be settled by the Kaiser, von Hindenburg, and Baron von Hertling. Pan-German newspapers do not conceal their delight at the prospect of a hitch in the Brest-Litovsk negotiations. They point out that the defeated Russians must realise that they cannot impose their will upon the victors. The Vossische Zeitung charges the German negotiators with incompetence, in allowing the Entente to get the upper hand. It says: "We have lost the first rubber to England." A CRISIS REPORTED. Messages from Germany indicate that, an internal crisis has resulted from the rupture of the Brest-Litovsk negotiations. The Kaiser hastily summoned the Crown Council at Belle Vue Castle on Wednesday, von Hindenburg and von Ludendorff participating in the discussion of the peace negotiations. Meanwhile a stormy meeting was taking place between von Kuhlmann, Foreign Minister, and the party „ leaders of the ReicKstag. The conference lasted seven hours, and the leaders criticised von Kuhl rnann's policy. Herr Scheidemann, representing the Independent Socialists, demanded that the Reichstag should meet at the earliest possible moment to enable the people to control the peace negotiations. It is anticipated that to-day's meeting of the Reichstag's Main Committee will lead to the summoning of the Reichstag. The paper Germania, expressing the official view, is convinced that a compromise can be made with the Bolsheviks" It suggests the retention of the present Legislatures in the occupied provinces, with an extension on a wider basis where necessary. ANOTHER CONFERENCE PROBABLE. It is rumoured in Petrcgrad that the peace conference will be transferred to 13erno, and in the event of the Allies not joining it will be held at The Hague.

TURKEY’S TERMS. Tho Turkish delegation at Brest-Litovsk has handed a draft of peace terms to the Russian delegation. Tho main points in the Turkish offer of peace terms to Russia are : Tho return of the pre-war frontier, lines; the conclusion of a convention respecting sea trade; a consultation within two years of peace on the matter of refunding individuals’ war losses; guarantees of Persia’s entire independence ; a free passage during tho war for Russian ships through the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus; a limited Russian mobilisation for national defence; the,removal of the Russian armies to within her previous borders, except one division for guaranteeing the frontier of Russia.; demobilising the Armenian units of the army and the Black Sea navy; and Turkey to retain an active army in consequence of the continuance of her war against the Entente Powers. BULGARIA’S POSITION. M. Radoslavoff, in the Bulgarian Sobranje, announced that Russia proposed -to the Central Powers delegates to declare that the war between Bulgaria and Russia was ended; that the status quo regarding commercial treaties and other agreements be resolved; and that Bulgaria be represented on the Danube Committee. Bulgaria has accepted these terms. FRENCH SOCIALIST APPEAL. The French Radicals, Republicans, and Socialists have issued a stirring manifesto to the Russian Republicans, refusing to believe that they w T ould abandon themselves to the dictates of Prussian militarism and forget their ancient friendship. “The actions of Lenin and Trotsky sadden us, but the work for the public safety, though hindered by treason, will be continued by the French soldiers and the Allies.” THE ALLIED POWERS AMD PEACE. COUNT CZERNIN’g OFFER It is announced that the Entente Allies intend to send a serious-reasoned reply to the peace proposals put forward by Count Czernin, the Austrian Prime Minister. English newspapers emphasise the belief that, though nominally addressed to Russia, the Austro-German offer is intended for the Allies. Italian newspapers consider the offer unacceptable to Italy. M; Pichon stated in the Chamber of Deputies that the French Government had refused to negotiate on the terms offered by Germany to Russia. It was impossible to accept such conditions as the status quo without indemnity or reparation. New York newspapers unanimously reject the proposal, and the Administration will not modify its attitude of refusing t© deal with the German Government. Baron Otori, Japanese Ambassador, in the course of a speech in Mexico City, said; “If the enemy propose a separate peace, no matter how advantageous to Japan, the latter will reject it. Japan is co-operating with the Allies to the fullest extent.” Owing to the refusal of M. Clemenceau, the French Prime Minister, to give passports to Petrograd, M. Renaudel, on behalf of the unified Socialist group in the Chamber, read a declaration that, as the silence of all the allied Governments concerning the general principles essential to a lasting peace places the Allies in a position of moral inferiority whjch is prejudicial to their cause, his group henceforth will vote credits, but will not support the diplomatic conduct of the war.

The Italian Senate unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the Government. The Premier (Signor Orlando), referring to the Brest-Litovsk Conference, said that, although desiring peace, the Allies would only accept a peace reconcilable with liberty of the peoples. The Allied Governments had not been consulted regarding the Russo-German overtures. LABOUR AND THE WAR. At the Labour Conference, Mr A. Henderson, M.P., in the course .of his speech, suggested that we should treat with Austria and Turkey, and reduce our fighting area, and release men for necessary labour at home. Thie met with,cries of "No" and " ProGerman." Mr Henderson declared it was not surprising that neutrals and Russia, and even America, suspected us of annexationist designs. Labour could not allow this. Their memorandum did not mean " Hands up" or the white feather; but Labour asked for an opportunity to ascertain how far Germany was prepared to accept its peace proposals. Mr Hill (the boilermakers' representative) declared that we must fight until Germany repented of her crimes and foul murders. Mr Thomas (the railwayman's representative) strongly disagreed, with the suggestea separate peace with Austria and Turkey. When peace "was discussed it must be a world peace. Critics of the memorandum disclaimed the executive's audacity in forcing the conference to accept the memorandum immediately and holus-bolus, when many of the delegates did not possess authority from their societies. Mr Henderson has cabled to M. Huysmans, the secretary of the International Socialists, at Stockholm, the decision of the conference, and asking him to communicate it to the Petrograd Soviet, also intimating that the conference was opposed to a separate peace. Mr Henderson has issued a message stating that Labour demands a League of Nations as a first step in the direction of creating a League of Peoples. The ultimate guarantee of peace lies in the repudiation of imperialistic policies by all pcoplos. The creation of such a league would be a dramatic declaration that the nations of the world form one family.

NEW ZEALAND AND THE GERMAN COLONIES.

The New Zealand Government has been making representations to the Imperial Government with regard to tho strong feeling here as to any proposal to hand back to Germany the islands in the Pacific now held by the British forces, and also the probable difficulties of competing with a leading Ger_man firm which has been business at these islands—the Deutsche Handels und Plantagen Gesselschaft Company. Mr Massey, alluding to-day to the question of New Zealand and the island trade, stated that tho Government was very anxious' that the whole business of the Deutsche Handels und Plantagen Gesselschaft Company should bo taken over by New Zealanders, and he was exceedingly disappointed that only a comparatively small part of it came to tho dominion. The difficulty on the part of New Zealanders had been the uncertainty with regard to the future of the islands—whether they will become British territory in the ordinary sense of the term, or whether, after the war, though they are now in possession of British troops, the islands will go back to Germany. " Speaking for myself," added Mr Massey, " I am confident that, with the opening of tho Panama Canal, these islands will become very important, and British people in the Pacific cannot be too careful to see that mistakes such as those which occurred in the past are not repeated." The Imperial Government has promised that the dominions will be consulted when terms of peace involving the fate of the German colonies in the Pacific and in Africa are beftig considered. It is presumed that the consultation will take place at another meeting of the Imperial War Council. When last year's council dispersed, the representatives _of the United Kingdom and the dominions understood that they would meet again this year, and the month of April was mentioned; but the council has not yet been summoned, and as far as the public knows no date has yet been fixed. Replying to a question put by a Dominion reporter, the Prime Minister stated that the question of New Zealand's representation at the War Council this year iieid yet to be considered by the Government. The matter would come before the Cabinet at an early datft.