The Washington times., 1917-12-31
GERMANS OPPOSE
PLAN TOEVACUATE
RUSSIAN TERRITORY

LONDON, Dec. 31.-Germany has
thrown of the mask and has begun
to maneuver against the evacuation
OF Russian territory overrun by the
Austro- o-German armies.
Dispatches received here today
stated that Count Czernin, the Aus
trian foreign minister, and DIR. Won
Kuehlmann, the German foreign min
lister, have arrived at Vienna and
Berlin, with full reports on the peace
negotiations atBrest Litovsk for
presentation to Emperor Charles and
the Kaiser.
These reports contain cleverly
worded protests against the evacua-
ton OF Poland and Courland by the
Teutonic armies, suggesting that
the matter be settled by a military
commission.
Agreement Reported.
During the latest stage OF the ne
zotiations at Brest-Litovsk the en-
VOWS reached a substantial agreement
as to territory.
The agreement. it was stated, was
rubsta1tiaIIy that the Russians
TouId withdraw from occupied Dor-
tIons of Austria-Hungary, Turkey, and
Persia. II the central powers did IKE
wise from Poland. Lithuania, Cour-
land. and other parts OF Russia,
granting the people OF these occupied
sections a "free opportunity" to de-
eide their future status. During this
neriod OF decision the agreement
specified that only national and 10 al
militia was to remain in the terri
terry.
Differ As To Time.
The main point OF difference devel-
oped between the two sides Is regard
ing the exact time OF German with
dravsl from occupied portions Of
Russia. The Russian delegates insist
on Immediate withdrawal. The Ger
man counter proposition is for with
draval after the Russians have re-
IInouished their occupied lands. and
after the peoples in the German oc-
cupieC states have announced thsiT
choice OF future government Refer
ence is made in the German proposals
to the fact that several OF the states
partially occupied by Germany have
announced VI ANASoAe-
The delegates have also Jointly
s,ipulated terms for resumption OF
| f,:II and free commercial intercourse
,he release of war prisoners, and pay
tcent for damage done by occupying
troops.
The agreement practically provides
| for restoration OF the status quo ante
with the revocation OF many Laws and
national regulations which have beer
! adopted by both sides during the
struggle.
The only point on which the Rus
sian peace delegates insist on more
/ definite Interpretation Is that conces
/ sion in the German stipulations as tc
various peoples in occupied territories
being permitted to announce theil
own choice OF future government
The German provisions merely recog
nIze the right OF such states-Poland
| I,ithuania. Esthonia, COurland, and
| I,iyonia-to independence, and provide
| for a special commission to arrang'
other matters.
| The Russian counter proposals ar
for a more detailed specification from
| Germany as to her attitude on sucl
states.
are:
| !. Liberation OF war and civilian
prisoners.
>. Resumption of diplomatic an
consular relations.
2. The return OF interned merchan
ships.
| 4. The payment cf war damages.
| The Bulgarian government, whlci
protested against giving up the dc
brudja (ROuna naniau territory an
Serbian Macedonia. has given Pre-
yisIoual agreement to some OF tn
Russo-C;eTman tCrIns. but is still balk,
ON the question of occupied terri
tories.
a,,eoArpe ABE EXcHANGED-