Peace Talk

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 26, 22 December 1917, Page 5

Peace Talk

TROTSKY'S BLUNT QUESTIONS. Press Association—Copyright. London, December 19. Mr Bourchier reports that, replying to Dr. Kuehlmann's telegram of Decem her 18th, Trotsky suggested ;i direct re-invitation to the Allies, and if they fire unable to attend the first meeting, Russia will request their presence at a later staue, with the Central Powers' concurrence, the conference to receive the Allies with open arms, but, if they continue their sabotage, Russia will conclude a separate peace. He points out, wnrningly, the definite results of the armistice, and asks the Allies to declare at once and for all whether they desire or do not desire peace. He has instructed the delegates to bluntly ask the Central Towers if they accept the "no annexations no indemnities'* policy and the self-disposal of the nations. The grotesque phraseology does not excite surprise, as diplomatic euphemisms have now been abolished. The doctrine of sabotage will doubtless please. Germany, and, if true, it would justify the scrapping of all treaties between Russia and the Allies.

GERMANY'S ALLEGED TERMS.

Press Association—Copyright. Reuier's Service. t Washington, December "20. What purports to he an outline of tlie Kaiser's Christmas peace terms has been received through ■ neutral diplomatic channels as follows: Leave Alsace to a plebiscite. Britain to pay Germany for her lost African colonies, the money to be used for the rehabilitation of Belgium, Serbia, Roumania, and northern France. The Russian provinces bordering on the Baltic to become Independent, under a German plan. Poland to be called an independent State under Austrian suzerainty. Questions of disarmament, the freedom of the seas and commerce to be left to a peace conference. Roumania, Serbia, and Montenegro to retain their original boundaries, with the right of access to, the sea to be granted to Serbia. Turkey to remain intact.

THE POPE'S PEACE ACTIVITIES. London, December 21. Lord Robert Cecil, replying to a question, said the treaty with Italy was not the reason for a reply not' having been sent to the Pope's pence note. The object of the treaty was to secure that the terms of peace should be settled by the belligerents. There was no intention, however, oli placing any disability on the bench-i cient activities of the [-Holy See m, regard to the conclusion of peace.