They have formed, for that purpose, a series of small independent States desirous of getting their independence recognised by the Peace Conference, which, in solving the riddle of the Russian sphinx, will have to pronounce the decisive word on this question. Every one, be he Russian or a representative of the nationalities, is trying to solve this question in accordance with his point of view. The aim of the following pages is to elucidate it from the point of view of Latvia.[1] PROPOSAL TO POSTPONE THE SOLUTION CONCERNING “THE BORDERLAND PEOPLES OF RUSSIA” Let us first consider the proposals of the RUSSIAN POLITICAL CONFERENCE:--“The question of the Russian borderland peoples must be postponed until it can be decided with the co-operation of the Russian people, for the questions relating to the future status of the nationalities included within the borders of ancient Russia cannot be solved outside the Russian people and without their consent.” That is what the Russian Political Conference proposed in its note of the 6th March, 1919--the solution of the problem must be postponed as long as the Russian people is not in a position to make its will fully known and to take part in the settlement of these questions. Evidently perceiving how impossible this proposal is, the Russian Political Conference is considering a compromise, and proposes “to apply in the meantime, before a definite settlement is arrived at, a provisional régime in accordance with the present necessities” of the States that have separated themselves from Russia, but “no definite solution should intervene.” In other words, the Russian Political Conference proposes to recognise the _de facto_ governments of the States detached from Russia on the condition that, in an undetermined future, the Russian people, expressing its will by the voice of the Constituent Assembly or by other means, shall say the final and decisive word. PRACTICAL CONSEQUENCES OF THE POSTPONING OF THE QUESTION