Evening journal., 1917-12-03
U. 5. FILES PROTEST
AGAINST ARNISTICE
Ambassador Francis, Fol
lowing Allies, Objects TO
ArmiSiice Farley
NEGOTIATIONS
ARE ARRANGED

LONDON. Dec. 3.-David r. Francis,
the American ambassador at Pctrograd,
has instructed Major Kerth. the mill
iary attachc, to enter a protest on the
part Of the United States similar TO
that entered by the heads Of the Entente
embassies 30 Russia. 10 the negotiations
for am armistice between Russia and
Germany This information came yes
terday in dispatch from peiroTad
dated Wednesday. The omission To Join
the protest entered by the other Allied
ambassadors Was due TO the fact that il
was based upon the London agreement
against a separate peace, TO which the
United states was not signatory.
Ambassador Francis, however has as
sumed the attitude that all aid that
America has extended 90 Russia, and all
recommendations TO that end by him,
were made with the express understand
ing. often reiterated. that Russia in-
tended 10 continue in the war and that
therefore he believed himself Justified
in the absence Of Instructions from the
state Department al Washington, TO en-
ter a protest against the Independent
action OF Russia IN the matter Of an
armistice
The terminology Of the protest en-
tered by Major Kerth Is believed to fol-
low the lines Of the Entente protest
More details Of the report of the rep
reseniatives sent through the German
lines by Ensign Krylenko, the Bolshev-
Xxi commander-in-chief, 10 begin negoti-
ations for an armistice were given out
In Petrograd on Thursday, but have Just
reached here. These details show that
the agreement 10 take up negotiations
was made on behalf Of the German COM
mander-in-chief 70 was agreed, accord
ing to the report, that the conference
should be held today al the German
headquarters at Brest-Litovsk. No de-
tails Of the conference have been re-
ceived here The text Of the report
covering the negotiations for the armls-
tico as received here follows
I'VE crossed the line, preceded by
trumpetor carrying a white lag Three
hundred yards from The German entan-
clements we were met by German OH
GERS Al o'clock, our eyes bllndfolded,
we were conducted 10 battalion STAFF
of the German army, where we handed
over our written authorization from the
National Commissaries TO two officers Of
The German General STAFF, who had been
sent for The purpose.
The negotiations were conducted In
the French language. Our proposal TO
carry on negotiations Tor an armistice
on all the fronts OF belligerent countries,
in order later TO make peace. was I'M
mediately handed over 90 the staff OF
the division, whence II was sent by di-
I rect wire TO the stan commander Of the
eastern front and 90 the chief COM
I mander Of the German armies.
AT G20 o'clock we were taken In a
motor car 90 the minister's house on
the road from Dvinsk 10 Ponevyezh
where we were received by Divisional
GEN Won HOmmeister, who informed us
that our proposal had been handed to
the highest commander and that a re-
ply probably would be received in
twenty-four hours. But at $50 o'clock
the FIRST answer from the chief OF the
general command already had been re-
celved announcing agreement 10 our
proposals and leaving The details of the
next meeting TO Gen. Won ll0nmeistcr
and the parllameniarians.
"Aflor an exchange Of opinion and
further communication by wire from
the chief OF the general command at
midnight we were given by Won H0n-
meistcr written answer TO our pro-
posal. IN view OF the fact that our
communication was written I'm Russian
the answer was given In German The
reply was:
Tho chief Of the German eastern
4 L..
tions with the Russian chief command.
The chief Of the German eastern front
is authorized by the German comman-
der in chief TO carry on Uegoiiations for
am armisticc The chief of the Russian
armies is requested TO appoint a COM
mission With written authority 20 be
sent to the headquarters OF the COM
mandcr of the German eastern front.
On his side the German commander
likewise will name a commission with
special authorization.
"'Thc day and hour Of the meeting
are 10 be fixed by the Russian comman-
der in chief 10 is demanded that the
German commander be warned In due
time 90 prepare a special train for the
purpose. Notice must be given at which
part it Is intended 20 cross the front
The commander Of the German eastern
front will place at tho disposition of
the Russian commission the necessary
apparatus so that 10 may keep in COM
munication with its chief command
Signed.
Won HOnmeister'
"The Russian Parliamcntarlans de-
cided 10 appoint as the place the juno
tion Of the Dyinsk-Nilna line. whence
the Russian representatives will be con
Quoted 90 the Brest-Liiyosk headquar-
ters Of The German commander. The
time appointed is midday Of November
SO Russian calendar. or December 2,
new calendar AZ the same time we
were informed that no firing would oc-
cur unless prompted, and that enemy
+ determination would be stopped We
/ were blindfolded again aud conducted
90 our lines"