Date: 1917-04
Source: ru:PSS/v31

During his time in Moscow, Foreign Minister P. N. Miliukov made the following statement at a meeting of members of the People’s Freedom Party:

The Provisional Government’s Declaration on the Aims of the War does not set forth the terms of peace; rather, it articulates only general principles—principles that have already been proclaimed countless times by statesmen of our Allied nations. The terms of peace can be negotiated only in accordance with the agreements reached among our allies, as stipulated in the London Convention. Regardless of one’s stance toward the slogan “peace without annexations,” we cannot afford to ignore the principles universally recognized by all our Allies—principles that call for the reunification of Poland and Armenia, and for the fulfillment of the national aspirations of the Slavic peoples of Austria (“Retch,” April 11 [24], 1917, No. 83).

This statement by Foreign Minister Miliukov will undoubtedly make headlines across foreign newspapers and further inflame militaristic sentiment in Germany. By aiding German imperialists in stoking chauvinism within Germany, Miliukov is helping Kaiser Wilhelm II pursue a predatory war “to the very end.”

Let us examine Mr. Miliukov’s statement. According to Miliukov, the Provisional Government’s Declaration on the Aims of the War—“the very same document” that Yu. Steklov, in a tragic misunderstanding, mistakenly described as a renunciation of annexations—does not, in fact, lay out the terms of peace; instead, it contains “merely general principles, which have already been proclaimed many times before by statesmen of our Allied nations.” Put more simply: the renunciation of annexations is nothing more than a rhetorical flourish—a mere “general principle,” words, words, words. Our “allied” partners have uttered such words ad nauseam. But the true terms of “peace” are something entirely different.

As one statesman—Bismarck, if we are not mistaken—once said: to “accept in principle,” in diplomatic parlance, often means to reject in practice. Such is the case with Miliukov. In principle, he opposes annexations; in practice, however, he advocates annexations—and it is precisely for this reason that he stands firmly behind the war “to the very end.”

“Rhetorical flourishes are not yet the terms of peace,” Mr. Miliukov declares to us.

So what, then, are his terms of peace?

These terms are laid out in the London Convention—and it is to this convention that Miliukov refers us.

But who concluded this convention—this treaty? Tsar Nicholas II, together with English and French capitalists! Thus, the treaties forged by the tsarist clique remain in force. We are, therefore, waging war in the name of these predatory agreements—agreements brokered by the tsarist gang and their “allied” banking patrons.

The seizure of Poland, the conquest of Armenia, the territorial ambitions in Austria (Miliukov, this time, remained silent about Constantinople)—such, in essence, is the program of peace proposed by Mr. Miliukov.

What will the leaders of the majority in the Council of Workers’ Deputies say in response to Foreign Minister Miliukov’s latest pronouncement? Will they merely “remind” Miliukov, in the name of the “contact” commission, of these very words…? Whatever became of that “renunciation of annexations” by the Provisional Government—which, after all, was finally secured from the last of them by Yu. Steklov and N. Chkheidze?

There is no dual power in Russia. The Council of Workers’ Deputies merely exercises benevolent oversight over the Provisional Government. At least, that is what N. S. Chkheidze reportedly stated at the military congress in Minsk{116}, according to newspaper reports.

And so this is where we have arrived—with this so‑called “benevolent oversight”! In the name of Russia, those who incite war continue to speak. Workers and soldiers are fed empty platitudes about peace without annexations, while behind the scenes a policy is pursued that benefits only a handful of millionaires who profit from war.

Comrades workers and soldiers! At every assembly, read and explain the above statement by Miliukov! Declare that you refuse to die in the name of secret conventions—or treaties—concluded by Tsar Nicholas II, treaties that remain sacred in Miliukov’s eyes!

“Pravda,” No. 31, April 13, 1917

Printed from the text of the newspaper “Pravda.”