New-York tribune., 1918-02-21
Trotzky Cannot Be
Trusted, Kuehln,ann
Tells the Reichstag

AMSTERDAM, Feb. 20.-Dr. Richard
Won Kuehlmann. the German Foreign
Secretary, at the opening session OF
the German Reichstag to day delivered
an address to the members, in which
he dealt at length with the peace treaty
Ukraine and the collapse of the peace
negotiations with Russia. Count Won
hertling, the Imperial German Chan
cellor, and FREDERICK Won Payer. the
Vice Chancellor, we're attentive listen
ers to the address
DR.. Won Kuehlmann asserted that
the pacific intentions of Russia could
no longer be credited. but he said that
even. to-day Germany was prepared to
conclude a peace (which corresponds
peace agreement with the Ukraine rs
an indication of the readiness of the
central Powers for peace. He referret Il
especially to the advantages which the
Ieutonlc allies would derive during the
present year from the economic treaty
with the Ukraine and recommended
the approval of the compact
Tribue to Ukrainians
Speaking on the first reading of the
Ukraine treaty, Dr. Won Kuchlmann
said the Ukraine Peoples Republic was
. young state. reared on the ground of
the former Russian Empire after the
decaylng editice of the Cars empire.
winch shared the principal guilt for
kindling the worlds war. collapsed un-
der the blow of the German armies.
Ia.
strongest elements of the Russian EN-
plre. In respect to its minerals coal
and iron, the Ukraine was very rich and
also possessed elements OF its own in
dustry
The Great Russian sentatives of
The Bolsheviki. the Foreign Secretary
continued, maintained friendly rcla-
lions with the Ukraine so long as Leon
lrotZky. the Bolshevik Foreign Minis
ter, could assume that the Peoples Re
public of the Ukraine would primarily
direct their policies according TO the in
terests of the Petrograd Cabinet.
When. however, the Ukranians realized
that the Petrograd Cabinet was not
pursuing sincere peace policy the rep
rcsentatives of the Ukraine adopted the
standpoint of ending the war by peace:
they would in no wise be responsible
Tor the sins of Czarsm.
Negotiations Not Easy
The negotiations were not quite as
easy as III most cases with such Young
peoples" said Dr.. Won Kuehlmann.
National ideals and desires were rot
free from the eXuberance of their rep
resentatives. They made territorial
demands which were hardly capable of
realization. The demarkation of the
frontier with Russia had to be left
LOT
with the Russian government then in
power.
The only thing thai concerned us
vas to lay down the Western frontiers
Of the new state. IN which the debaIk-
alton of the frontier as regards Poland
received the most attention and ex-
uerienced the liVelies. criticism from
he Poles"
Dr.. Won kuehlmann said that without
being too sanguine he believed the
country hailed peace with the Ukraine
with relief and JOY, "as the first step
toward the restoration of n general
peace which we all hope to attain
within measurable time"
As weighty as are the interests in
question for us" Dr. Won kuehlmann
continued, they are conside rably
weightier for the Dual MONARCHY. In
cur case the interests are chiefly eX-
ternal; III theirs. in addition to the eN-
ternal, there are momentous interests
of an internal political nature. The
iact that the settlement took the form
II did arose from the consideration
which DR.. Won Scvdler, the Austrian
Premier. pointed out yesterday, namely,
the fear that the further forcing back
Of their claims TO the Cfolm frontier
would have resulted in the wreckage Of
the treaty. The overwhelming majority
Of the German people would not have
understood such an action. They would
have disapproved most severely. and |
think, rightly. an action cntailing the
sacrlilce OF I, peace so much desired.
THAT we gave very much consid-
Grafton indeed TO Polish interests is
clear from the form OF stipulations de
talllng frontier lines, only in q general
way reseIving detailed demarkation for
commission. Further, the negotia-
tons which the Austro- Hungarian gov
crnment. IN accord with the Ger
man government, conducted with the
Ukraine resulted in making it clear
that the paragraph about the delinitivc
demarkatlon OF frontier lines can be
interpreted in a much more ample man
ner, and that in this way the chino
graphical situation and the desires of
the population can receive most far
"A projected commission VIII include
not only the representatives. of the
allies (Teutonic), but also Polish dele
gates. We have done everything pos
slble to attain just demarkation Of
frontiers"
The Foreign Secretary read the wire
less dispatch from the Bolsheviki an
nounclng that they found it necessary
10 s!gn a peace agreement on the terms
dictated by the Central Powers. lie said
ne would like TO warn the members OF
the kelchstag Main Committee against
the belief that peace with Russia was
IN their pockets. adding:
Peace with Russia will have been
arrived at only when the signatures on
the treaty are dry
DenOunces 1rotzkv
Dr. Won Kuehlmann said the conduct
OF the Russian delegates at the peace
negotiations at Brest-Litovsk. and in
parucular that of Leon Trotzky, was
without precedent in history. With his
iast declaration, the Foreign Minister
declared, NJ. Trotzky attempted to ex-
tricate himself from position which
mad become untenable. and he was not
really desirous of concluding peace.
After saying the pacific intentions Of
Russia could be credited no longer, but
mat even to-day Germany was prepared
TO conclude peace (Which CORRESPONDS
with our interests" the Foreign Minis
ter referred to Ukraine He said the
peace agreement in that instance had
been reached in consequence of the