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The Nakaz to Skobeliev

(Passed by the Tsay-ee-kah and given to Skobeliev as an instruction for the representative of the Russian Revolutionary democracy at the Paris Conference.)

The peace treaty must be based on the principle, “No annexations, no indemnities, the right of self-determination of peoples.”

Evacuation of German troops from invaded Russia. Full right of self-determination to Poland, Lithuania and Livonia.

For Turkish Armenia autonomy, and later complete self-determination, as soon as local Governments are established.

The question of Alsace-Lorraine to be solved by a plebiscite, after the withdrawal of all foreign troops.

Belgium to be restored. Compensation for damages from an international fund.

Serbia and Montenegro to be restored, and aided by an international relief fund. Serbia to have an outlet on the Adriatic. Bosnia and Herzegovina to be autonomous.

The disputed provinces in the Balkans to have provisional autonomy, followed by a plebiscite.

Romania to be restored, but forced to give complete self-determination to the Dobrudja.⁠ ⁠… Romania must be forced to execute the clauses of the Berlin Treaty concerning the Jews, and recognise them as Romanian citizens.

In Italia Irridenta a provisional autonomy, followed by a plebiscite to determine state dependence.

The German colonies to be returned.

Greece and Persia to be restored.

All straits opening into inland seas, as well as the Suez and Panama Canals, are to be neutralised. Commercial shipping to be free. The right of privateering to be abolished. The torpedoing of commercial ships to be forbidden.

All combatants to renounce demands for any indemnities, either direct or indirect⁠—as, for instance, charges for the maintenance of prisoners. Indemnities and contributions collected during the war must be refunded.

Commercial treaties are not to be a part of the peace terms. Every country must be independent in its commercial relations, and must not be obliged to, or prevented from, concluding an economic treaty, by the Treaty of Peace. Nevertheless, all nations should bind themselves, by the Peace Treaty, not to practise an economic blockade after the war, nor to form separate tariff agreements. The right of most favoured nation must be given to all countries without distinction.

Peace is to be concluded at the Peace Conference by delegates elected by the national representative institutions of each country. The peace terms are to be confirmed by these parliaments.

Secret diplomacy is to be abolished; all parties are to bind themselves not to conclude any secret treaties. Such treaties are declared in contradiction to international law, and void. All treaties, until confirmed by the parliaments of the different nations, are to be considered void.

Gradual disarmament both on land and sea, and the establishment of a militia system. The “League of Nations” advanced by President Wilson may become a valuable aid to international law, provided that (a), all nations are to be obliged to participate in it with equal rights, and (b), international politics are to be democratised.

The Allies are to announce immediately that they are willing to open peace negotiations as soon as the enemy powers declare their consent to the renunciation of all forcible annexations.

The Allies must bind themselves not to begin any peace negotiations, nor to conclude peace, except in a general Peace Conference with the participation of delegates from all the neutral countries.

All obstacles to the Stockholm Socialist Conference are to be removed, and passports are to be given immediately to all delegates of parties and organisations who wish to participate.

(The Executive Committee of the Peasants’ Soviets also issued a nakaz, which differs little from the above.)