Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-22
GERMANS Reject
RUSSIAN TERMS,
SAYS DISPATCH.
Sudden Debacle Entirely
Possible, but London
Is Suspicious.
TWO NEW DEVELOPMENTS
OF GREAT IMPORTANCE
Whole Ukraine Swept by Flames
of Rebellion Against
Bolshcviki.
NEW HOPE; FOR ALLIED CAUSE
Menace Lies in Rumorcd Formation
OF Army Corps OF Released
Tcuton Prisoners.
VIEW HorE FOR ALLIED CAUSE
Menace Lies in Rumorcd Formation
OF Army Corps OF Released
TcutOn Prisoners.

LONDON December .I.--PersiStcnt
reports from Pctrosrad to-day that the
Russian-Tcuton peace parley had been
broken off were received here with
consid era bic skcpticiSm. For the press
ent they are cIasscd with tho other
more or less sensational reports and
rumors deliberately disseminated by
Lennc and TrotZky during recent
weeks for certain political purposes.
But while on the face Of it the
report was suspected in most quarters
of being hoax. II was admitted on
all sides that such sudden debacle
Of the Russo-Teuton peace dickerings
is entirely possible, because the ccn-
trail powers were from the outset be-
lievcd to make unacceptable demands
OF Russia.
Meanwhile, two now developments
Of tremendous Importance stand out
from tn. tumble OF contradictory news
diSpa tcheS---a hope and ~ menace
from the allied and Russian viewpoint,
| The whole Ukraine is reported swept
by names OF rebellion. This vast land.
Inhabited by 3a.0Oo,U0o youls, that form
the sixth race OF Europe. apparently
has found the hour ripe to drive homo
its centuries old urse for independence,
Moreover, its leaders see chance to
lead their home land from the dark
| days Of cnslavcment under tho Czar
to the most powerful, and possibly
! ruling racial entity in Russia.
SCHTERBATCHEFE At HEAD
OF ARMY OF Ui<RAINIANs
One OF tho most dashing commands
ers OF the old reg imc. General Scbtcr-
bhtchrf. has been placed at the head
or the vast army of Ukrainians and
the entire Russian army on the Rou-
inanian front has joined him. Their
object Is first, to rid their country of
all RolsheNiki influence and. second,
II possible. TO exert pressure upon tho
rest OF Russia to get back into the
saddle as an active belligerent
quick to realize the huge posslbill-
| Ties oi the Chrainian movement long
dormant, but now for th, first timo
evidently acting on large scale, tho
/ entente allies arc reported TO be Civ
inG them full encoura cement. 4 Ger
man newspaper. the Nossische Zcitung,
even reports that tho allies have ac-
credited dnlomatir representatives to
the Ckranian governments The For.
eign Office VAS silent OH this subject
ton ght.
90 fnucn TOT the hope that nared uo
on the Russian horizon vo-day. AS for
the new menace, ii lies in the reported
formation of "a vcritahic army corps OF
! released Teuton prisoners. Led by
their own officers. these German and
Austrian soldiers arc said to have taken
hand in the Russian civil strife. Tho
general trend OF the rctrograd news
Is that they have cast their lot with
the BolShevik
LITTLE or MATERIAL
INTEREST IN BERLIN
Berlin had little OF material interest
10 report regarding the peace nego-
tiations. Chancellor Won HertlinS told
the RcichstaS leaders in secret confer
encc OF the guiding principles" of the
neSotiatio now carried on at Erest
Litovsk. Tho dispatches assert the
! party leaders all approved OF these
guiding principles" Tho Chancellor
told them the Kaiser had authorized
him TO conclude peace with Russia, and
! that he had detailed Dr. won Kuehl.
mann. the Foreign Minister. to conduct
the parlcys.
One significant fact observed In the
Berlin news was the participation In
tho EcichstaS conference OF tho mi
party. led by Deputy TIansc. 1t was
the first time this faction has had di-
rect Intercourse with tho government
except in violent attacks during Reich
sta = debates.