New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-19
u. Insists Germany Must
AGREE to Pact Without An
nexations or lndemnities
Won Kuehlmann and
Czernin Are Ready
Tsuton Ministers Arrive at
Brest-Litovsk to Dis
cuss Peace

pETROCRAD. Dee. 17.--Count Ger
=, spd Dr. Won Kuehlmann. the Aus
.,;s, and German Foreign ministers,
,,e. notified Leon Trotzky, the Bolshe-
~ Foreign Minister, that they will be
=, Br.st-L.;ovsk on Tuesday at 8
.,.,o,s in the afternoon, to begin nego-
.,.ions fo- q general European peace.
rh.y invited Trotzky TO attend, but the
polsbcyik leader notified the delegates
bs, he would be unable to arrange to
% 70 Brest-Litovsk at that time. He
,s,borized the Russian representatives
.. The first conference 70 make the fol-
lovinc demand upon the Central Pow
Gs:
Arc YOU agreeable to make peace
without annexations or contributions
and on the principle Of the self-dehni-
ion Of nations 90
The Russian representatives were in
,oyned that II the Central Powers
rsre willing TO make peace soon, they
must give detailed answer to the
question propounded by Trotzky.
Asks Allies to Join Parleys
The evening newspapers announce
that Trotzky has sent q communica-
ton 10 the Allied embassies, which
they have not received up 10 this
tine. notifying them Of the armistice
and Of the beginning Of peace nego-
tiatons and asking them TO partici-
pate.
The communication states that Rus
sia and the Central Powers will re-
csive all the Allies with open arms, but
If the Allies continue a policy OF
-sabotage" Russia will be forced to
break the treaties made by the i'm
perisi government and 10 make q sepa
rate peace Trotzky points out that
The negotiations for an armistice al
ready have reached definite results.
and invites the Allies TO state whether
they wish peace or not.
The embassies this afternoon were
still in a waiting attitude. An infor-
nsl conference Of the Allied represent
a;iyes was held at the British Embassy.
According 10 the best informa. .on no
definite decision was arrived at.
Armistice Nearly Ended
Details Of the scenes of the signing
Of the armistice show that up 10 Sat
urday afternoon the temper of the del
egates was such that il appeared that
the negotiations might be broken off.
The German representatives suddenly
displayed an attitude Of compromise.
and made only a few changes in the
Russian draft The agreement was
signed at 6:45 o'clock Saturday even
ing. Immediately after the signing
General Won Hoffman, head of the Ger
man delegation, arose and said:
We are no longer enemies, but
friends
"We never we're enemies Of democ-
faey IN any country was the reply
Of the Russians. The German staff at
Bresi-Litoysk gave a triumphal dinner
- lne russians.
Thousands Of German war prison
trs are coming from distant parts OF
Russia 90 Petrogrsd and a public
meeting Of enemy prisoners was held
At Moscow Sunday for the purpose Of
deeting a temporary committee TO
watch their interests.
The Germans long ago arranged to
food Russia with their manufactures
az the earliest opportunity, which has
now apparently come. Trading has be-
gun on sections OF the front, and the
Germans are reported 10 be bartering
every kind Of manufactured goods for
iioodsiufs on large scale. Orders are
being taken IN Petrograd for German
goods, the shopkeepers promising that
hey will shortly be able 10 satisfy the
osmands Of customers for commodities
Aa~