The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-11-14
Cruiser KOenigsberg Starts To
Meet British Admiralty
Represents German Fleet Held
by RevOlutiOnists.
TO DISARM The HUN SHIPS
Allies Must Control Black and
Baltic Seas.
Or There VIII Be Difficulty 1
Sending Food.

(By the Associated IreSSD
Berlin. Nov. 14.--(By Wireless to
London) - he German light cruiser
Koenigsberg on November 13, at 1 p.
M, put to sea with plenipotentiaries
Of the workmen's and soldiers coun-
Gil of the German fleet in order to
meet the representatives of the Brit
ish admiralty.
The chief Of the high seas forces,
Admiral Hipper. is taking part in the
negotiations as expert adviser for the
deliberations concerning the execution
of the naval conditions of the armi-
stice.
Food Problems.
i London. Nov. 14.-Problems con-
nected with the policing and provis-
ioning of Russia and the central
powers hinge primarily upon the i'm
mediate disarmament Of the German
fleet, the Russian war ships held by
the Germans and those under control
Of the Ukrainian government in the
Black sea. WarShipS which are held
by the Bolshevists in the Finnish gulf
must also be put out of commission.
Without freedom of movement in
the Black and Baltic seas, the entente
powers and the United States will have
great difficulty in affording economic
relief in central Europe as well as
Scandinavia. Consequently the atti-
tude of the German navy toward the
armistice terms is watched with eager
ness by entente officials who are anX-
ious to prevent starvation among the
belligerents and to restore normal So
cial and economic conditions among
the suffering millions.
Speedy action is necessary for the
relief of regions adjacent to the Baltic
sea, as many of its ports will be ice
bound within two months and the con
gested and disrupted conditions of the
railways makes relief by land routes
uncertain ~ - -
Against Bolshevili.
The United States and the entente
powers have shown no disposition to
deal with the Bolshevist government.
While Russia remains in the control
of the soviet. therefore. there seems
to be little hope of feeding Moscow.
Petrograd and other large cities there.
If the Russian Bolshevist movement,
which has been started against Fin
land, should be successful, Finland
would also be placed temporarily be-
yoGd relief.
| Better in Ukraine.
! Food conditions are more favorable
in Ukraine and in the Caucasus re-
gions. where there is much grain
stored and which the peasants would
probably sell if offered manufactured
| goods or money with reasonable buy
ing power. If the Skoropadski gov
ernment survives the peace shock and
German troops, which now occupy the
| Ukraine. do not join with the Russian
Bolshevist, Ukraine should return to
normal conditions rapidly after the
Black sea is opened. 1t is supposed to
| have adequate stores of grain for its
| own use.
Georgia and Armenia can be fed
with comparative ease when the allies
are free to navigate the Black sea
Railroads there have not been serious
, ly impaired. Germany is supposed to
have about 100000 troops in Ukraine
and in the Russian Baltic provinces, as
well as $4,000 in Finland. Under the
armistice terms these troops will re-
main until the entente requests theil
withdrawal. Adequate provisioning oi
these is of prime Importance to pre-
vent their disaffection and possible al
! lance with the Russian Bolshevists.