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http://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/register/the-peace-for-russia-csnf8xm5w
december 16, 1916
The peace for Russia
The Duma has unanimously adopted a resolution urging a categorical refusal of the German proposal by the Allies. The resolution was moved after the delivery of a vigorous speech by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, who stated that he had the supreme authorization of the Tsar for the course he was taking in exposing the motives of the Central Powers. He concluded his speech with the declaration that, in conjunction with the Allies, Russia would fight on to a victorious finish.
The resolution was worded as follows: The Duma having heard the statement of the Minister for Foreign Affairs is unanimously in favour of a categorical refusal by the Allied Governments to enter under present conditions into any peace negotiations whatever. It considers that the German proposals are nothing more than a fresh proof of the weakness of the enemy, and are a hypocritical act from which the enemy expects no real success, but by which he seeks to throw upon others the responsibility for the war. The Duma considers that a premature peace would not only be a brief period of calm, but would involve the danger of another bloody war and renewed deplorable sacrifices on the part of the people. It considers that a lasting peace will be possible only after a decisive victory over the military power of the enemy.
In his speech M Pokrovsky said: “In the course of the war Germany has more than once mentioned peace. After each military success she put out feelers on one side and another and conducted an active propaganda in the neutral Press. All these efforts met with the calm and determined resistance of the Allied Powers. Now, seeing that she is powerless to make a breach in our unshakable alliance, she makes an official proposal to open peace negotiations. It contains no tangible indications regarding the nature of the peace which is desired. It repeats the antiquated legend that the war was forced upon the Central Powers; it speaks of the victorious Austro-German armies and the irresistibility of their defence. That is all it contains, except a threat to continue the war to a victorious end and, in the case of refusal, to throw the responsibility for the further spilling of blood on our Allies.