New-York tribune., 1917-12-22
Unohcially Rumored That
Germans Reject Boil
shevik Offer
But Kuehlmann
Hurries to Farley
Berlin Crowds Cheer Him
and Shout for "Strong
Peace"

LONDON, Dec. 2i.-It is reported
unofficially that the Germans have re-
jected the Russian peace terms, the
Petrograd correspondent Of the Ex-
change Telegraph Company wires, un-
der date of Thursday.
II has been impossible thus far to
confirm this report, but a lonc dispatch
from the Russian semi-ofiicial news
agency reveals that the Bolsheviki
realized how far apart we're their ideas
from those Of the Germans. The dis
patch is an appeal TO the Socialists of
the Central Powers to bring their in
fuence 70 bear on their rulers.
1t says that the Socialists in all
countries must understand that "be-
tween the peace programme of the
Workmen's and Soldiers Delegates and
the Peasants Delegates and that of the
German capitalists, land owners and
military generals there are irreconcila-
mel contributions. II those two pro-
grammes alone brought US face to face
peace would be impossible, because the
Russian people have not dethroned
the monarchy and the bourgeoisie OF
their country only to bow down before
the monarchy and the bourgeoisie OF
another country.
"Peace only can draw near when the
strong and decided will Of the workers
of Germany and her allies makes itself
heard"
Decision is Doubted
Dispatches from Berlin to-day sug-
gest that the peace negotiations have
rot proceeded far enough TO bring a
decision such as the Petrograd corre-
srondent reports. DR.. Richard Won
kuehlmann, the German Foreign Sec
rotary. lef: Berlin only yesterday for
Brest-Litovsk, according to these ad-
vices, and as he is said to be charged
with conducting the negotiations with
the Russians, il is doubtful If any
thing 20 definite as a refusal OF terms
has resulted rs yet.
IN
important staff Of officials. these ad-
vices say, and his departure was marked
By scenes of great enthusiasm, the
crowd singing the national anthem
and raising shouts of Bring us q
strong peace" -,
II is said the peace negotiations Will
be under the presidency of Ibrahim
Hakki Pacha, the Turkish Ambassador
TO Berlin and dean of the Berlin diplo-
matte corps. The Bulgarian delegates
include Minister Of Justice Popof and
N. Kosseff, chief of the Foreign once.
Peace Orders TO Hertling
Amsterdam dispatches say that
Count Won Hertling, Imperial Ger
man Chancellor, received yesterday
representatives of all the Reich
stag parties. with whom he had
a confidential discussion on the sit
uation caused by the opening OF peace
negotiations with Russia. The Chan
cellor announced, according TO Ber-
lin official dispatch, that the Emperor
had authorized him 20 conclude peace,
and he had charged Foreign Secretary
Won Kuehlmann to conduct the nego-
tiations. The governments plans for
future negotiations were reviewed by
the Chancellor. and all the Deputies
are said to have approved the guiding
lines laid down.
According to the newspapers, the In
dependent Socialists were represented
at the meeting by Deputy Haase. This
Is the first time since the foundation
of the party that it has had direct in
tercourse with the German government.
German Officers Active
While the peace delegates are assem-
bling in Brest-Litovsk the activity in
Petrograd of a number of German and
Austrian officers apparently is causing
agitation. Circulars have been spread
alleging that the Council of Soldiers
and Workmen's Delegates is in negotia-
tions with the officers. The "Pravda,'
the Bolshevik organ, prints an unquali-
fed denial and makes a counter charge
against the Constitutional Democrats.
claiming they are trying to undermine
Trotzky and Lenine.
Ukraine reported to hare nego-
tiated formal alliance ,Cith COssdcks,
strengthening opposition to Bolshe-
viki, on Page 3.