The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-18
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SUMMARY OF WAR

To begin negotiations "for q gen.
sraI European peace" the German
end Austro Hungarian foreign min
listers arrived today at Brsst-LitoVsIS
on the Russian front, according to
their notification to the BoIsheviki
government at Petroarad, as cables
from the Russian capital phrase the
message.
Petrograd newspapers report that
Leon Trotzky, the BelsheViki foreign
minister, has invited the entente EN-.
bassies in Petrograd TO participate in
the negotiations. The allied diplo-
mats had not received the TrotzISy
message Up TO last night. There are
no indications that any Of the allied
governments will consent 20 play any
part in the dealings with the enemy
which the BoIsheViki have Initiated.
Germany and Austria Hungary ap-
parenuy will lose no time in bring
ing about a separate peace with the
6olsheViki government Of Russia now
that the armistiee between the coun-
tries has become effective. Or. Won
kuehlmann. the German forsian
:seretary, and Count czsrnin, the
Austrian foreign minister, will ar
rive at Brest-LitoVsk today to begin
negotiations looking toward peace.
A semi -otficial statement issued In
Vienna declares that the central
powers will follow up the armisties
"as speedily as possible, with peace
parleys and II 10 added that Bulgaria
and Turkey also will join In the
negotiations.
according to Pstroarad adviess,
Leon Trotzky, the BoIsheViki foreign
minister, has notified the allied en-
bassies that peace negotiations are
TO begin and has asked them TO
participate or state whether they
wish peace. An informal conference
Of the allied diplomats 10 said to have
reached no definite decision on the
subject. The BolsheViki government,
in q notice to foreign embassies in
Petroprad, says IL considers the ques-
ton Of recognition purely formal and
cares little about IL. The notice de-
clares that the foreign embassies
must wise the passports Of solsh-
eviki courisrs or similar eourtssies
will be refused.
Except on the Italian northern
front near the Brenta river, military
operations are Gt . minimum. The
Italians, in . desperate struggle, have
been able to retake an advantageous
position on Col Caprille, while check
ing Austro- German attempts in the
region Of San Marine. The activity
of the aerial and artillery arms on
this front continues 20 be intense.
Snow has fallen heavily on the
British fronk In France and only
small Isolated raids have occupied
the infantry. In upper Alsaee the
French have repulsed q German at
taek near Anspaoh Bas.
The German cruisers which att
tackled the British convoy IN the
North sea last Wednesday returned
without losses and captured . large
number Of prisonersy according 70
Berlin. FouFteen vessels including
seven neutral steamers were sunk BY
the Germans in the North sea and of
the mouth Of the Tyne.
On the northern italian front no
further important advances are being
reported by the Austro- German com
mand and the Italians within the Last
day or two have even Been able 70 rs.
Gain some Of the ground previously
lost In the Col Caprille region. a
small gain for the invsders 10 claim
cd BY Berlin today in the Monte
Solarolo region.
The London war offiee Fsports IN.
on the British section Of the
Franco Belgian line where snow has
fallen heavily. There was some In
fantry fighting on the French front
in upper AIsacs yesterday which re-
suited favorably to the French and
spirited artillery activity continued
last night on this part Of the 'front.'
In the region Of the Rhone- Rhine
canal.