Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-02-15

Invasion OF great Russia. It IS
added, will continue. at any rate until
Petrograd is occupied by German
troops.
A dispatch to the Daily News from
Rotterdam says that the Germans take
the view that Trotzky's declaration.
though 1t did not end the war, auto
na.ically ended the armistice (the ar
mistice expired Feb 14). The Ger
mans now consider that they have a
free hand and mean to use the oppor-
tunity.
.. Will Back Ukraine.
This, according to the correspond
ent, does not mean necessarily that
the Germans will Immediately try to
reach Petrograd, but more probably
that they will support the Ukraine by
force Of arms. The Germans, he says,
are carrying on an active propaganda
in the Ukraine for the purpose of sug-
costing to the rada that the new state
is endangered by the Bolsheviki. It is
| declared that this is all part of Ger.
many's scheme for breaking up the
former Russian empire with view to
extending her own power and influence
over the new states, of whom 1t Is
posing as protector.
BolsheviH Army Movingl
1t is certain that the Bolsheviki are
now moving troops against the Tx
raine, Berlin dispatch to the Koel-
rische Volks Zeitung says, and the
central powers do not intend to allow
themselves thus to be robbed of the
fruits Of their lately concluded peace.
The newspaper adds that it probably
has been decided at the conference at
Imperial headquarters to resume op-
eratiOns on the northern Russian front
for the protection Of the Ukraine"
Teut0n Idea I'm Ukraine Peace.
Amsterdam, Feb. 15.-Peace with the
Ukraine was made not only so that
the central powers might obtain food
stuffs, but also to effect breach in
the eastern front, it is indicated in Il
dispatch from Vienna. A statement
from well informed source dealing
with the conclusion of the Brest-
Litovsk negotiations and given to VII
emma newspapers says:
las Trotzkys attitude, particularly
concerning the application of the prin-
ciple of self-determination made "a
satisfactory conclusion impossible. it
became the political task of the pow
ers who were working for peace TO
make breach in the eastern II ont,
that is, to arrange peace with the
Ukraine, thereby also arriving at
settlement of the Russian and Ruma-
MAN questions. Peace with the
Ukraine had to be made If only be-
cause a way was opened by 1t to east
ern Europe's richest granary."
| The statement adds that peace with
the Ukraine was obtainable only Oh
condition that Cholm should be cedel
to the Ukraine, the desire for which
could be fulfilled by the application
Of the principle of self-determination
which is recognized as applying to
Russian territory.
Regarded as Cornerstone.
peace with the Ukraine" the state
ment continues, lis the cornerstone of
the entire peace structure.
In conformity with the stipulatiors
of the treaty all Ukrainlan surplus
grain is to be exported up to July 81.
A commission has been formed to de-
termine the amount of supplies and
to what extent we can give assistance
in this respect. Assistance will be
given both technically and militarily
Military support will be required Il
central depots and functions must b.
protected from attacks by bandits and
the Bolsheviki 1t is not a question
Of military alliance but common
Organization for the protection OF rail
way service and delivery Of grain"