An announcement of far-reaching
significance was made in the Russian
duma December 2 by Premier Trepoff,
who read a proclamation announcing
officially that an agreement concluded
by Russia. France and Great Britain
in 1915. and later approved by Italy,
"establishes in definite manner the
rights of Russia to the straits and
Constantinople."
The fall of the British cabinet early
in December furnished one of the most
sensational features of the year's war
developments. Demands of David
Lloyd-George for the formation of a
smaller war council to obtain greater
efficiency forced the resignation of Pre
mier Asquith. Lloyd-George was made
premier and selected a new cabinet,
the prosecution of the war being
placed in the hands of five men, in
cluding the premier.
The first direct overtures for peace
came on December 13, when Germany,
Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and Turkey
sent Identical notes to the entente al
lies through the United States, Spain
and Switzerland, proposing that the
belligerents arrange a conference for
the discussion of peace terms. The
notes were transmitted to the allied
governments by President Wilson with
out comment. The peace proposals
were received coldly. Premier Briand,
in the French house of deputies, is
sued a warning against a premature
peace, and the Russian duma, accord
ing to announcement made December
16, passed a resolution favoring a re
fusal on the part of the allied govern
ments to enter into any peace nego
tiations whatever under present con
ditions.
