File No. 763.72119/967

The Ambassador in Russia ( Francis) to the Secretary of State 1

[Telegram]

2040. Following is translation of document received this afternoon:

Commissary of the People for Foreign Affairs,
Petrograd
, November 29, 1917.

For the information of the representatives of the countries allied with Russia: In reply to the formal proposition of the Council of the Commissaries of the People regarding the opening of negotiations for an immediate armistice on all fronts for the purpose of concluding a democratic peace without annexations and contributions with the right of all nations to self-determination the German supreme command has made known its consent. All the documents relating thereto and the statements of facts have been published by me in the “bulletin of the Central Executive Committee.”

Military operations on the Russian front have been brought to a standstill. The preliminary negotiations will begin on November 19/December 2. The Council of the Commissaries of the People, as formerly, so also now, considers necessary the simultaneous conducting of the negotiations by all the Allies with a view to attaining a speedy armistice on all fronts and to secure a universal democratic peace.

The Allied Governments and their diplomatic representatives in Russia will be good enough to reply whether they wish to take part in the negotiations, which are to open on December 2, at 5 p.m.

Commissary of the People for Foreign Affairs
L. Trotsky

Francis
  1. Sent via the Legation in Sweden (No. 1093).