New-York tribune., 1918-01-13

ened. Bat the world position of
country Is not determined by its tech
nlSai apparatus alone. but also by its
inherent posslbilities-as. indeed. Ger
many's economic strength should not
be judged by her present conditions
and means OF supply"
Desired Speedy Peace
NJ. Trotzky considered that the greater
forces OF the Russian people had been
awakened and developed by the revolu-
ton. just as the reformation of the SIX
teenth century and the revolution of
the eighteenth century had vitalized
the creative forces of the German and
French peoples. He added:
The Russian government. however.
wrote the word peace at the head of
its programme. The great sympathies
OF the Russian people for the peoples
Of the Allies strengthen the desire to
attain the speediest peace based on ali
understanding among the peoples.
"To remove from the quadruple alli-
arce a preteNt for breaking off the
peace negotiations on technical grounds
the Russian delegation accepts the de-
mand to remain in Brest Litovsk, in
order not to leave unutilized any posi-
bility in the fight for peace. In re-
nouncing its proposal regarding the
transfer IF negotiations to neutral soil
the Russian delegation proposes con-
tinuation Of the negotiations.
NJ. Trotzky said he considered it nee
essary to remove understanding
which had arisen. He referred TO the
statement made ut the previous sitting
by DR.. Won Kuehlmann, the German
Foreign Minister. that the semi Off al
Russian news agency had disseminated
Z t,0 crl a
at the sitting Of December % by NJ.
Joffe. of the Russian delegation: NJ.
Trotzky said She cfncial account OF that
sitting. as published in the German
newspapers. reproduced accurately the
speech Of NJ. JoHe. and that the Rus
sian delegation was entirely ignorant
of any real or fictitious kilograms on
the subject. such as those to which
DR.. Won kuehlmann referred. The
speaker said the matter would be in
vesrigated. and in the meantime he e1-
pressed regret for q tandlng
which was in no way connected with
the work OF the delegation.
Free Speech Limited
As for The protest made by General
Hoffman,, in the name of the German
chief command, against Russian wire
less messages containing appeals OF a
revolutionary character to the German
troops. NJ. TrotZky stated that neither
the conditions OF the armistice nos the
character Of the peace negotiations
limited freedom of press or speech.
Dealing with the declarations at the
previous session by DR.. Won kuehlmann
garian Foreign Minister, respecting the
failure of Russia's allies to participate
in the negotiations. which vitiated the
peace offer of the Central Powers and
resolved the discussions to questlon
of a separate peace with Russia, NJ
Trotzky said:
eve are in full accord with our for
mer resolution. We desire to continue
the peace negotiations quite apart from
the question whether or not the En-
tente posers take part.
1--WE note the statement of the quad
ruple Alliance that the basis for gen
eral peace formulated In their declara-
lion of December 25 is null and void
as the Entente countries In the perloc
of ten days allowed them did not Jo'r
in the peace negotiations. We on oui
side adhere to the principles of a dem
ocratic peace proclaimed by us.
Public Opinion Considered
The desire Of tho Russians to trans
fer the negotiations to neutral SOIL, NJ
Trotzky explained, arose from thei
wish for equally favorable conditions
on both sides. He contnued
"Public opinion in Russia, moreover
takes umbrage at the fact that the Rus
sian delegation is conducting the nego
tiations in a fortress occupied by Ger
man troops, especially as they lnvolvf
the fate of peoples. The Russian de'e
CATION does not believe the technlca
difficulties entailed by transference o.
m 11a,1fr2I SOIL constr
tutc, a valid objection, any more mar
it recognizes as valid the fear OF En-
tente intrigues. against which Russia
knows how to protect herself
DR.. Won Kuehlmann, with the assent
Of the meeting, declared that the ques
ton of separate representation fo1
Ukraine would first be discussed among
the delegations Of the Quadruple Ali
ancc. and that further conslderatlo1
would be reserved for a plenary SIT
ting. :.
On the proposal Of the president i
was decided to hold private delibera
tions between the delegations of Aus
tria- Hungary and Germany on the on
hand and of Russia on the other.
The delegates of Russia, German.
and Austria Hungary agreed to form
committee to discuss political and ter
ritorial questions, and second com
mittec of experts Tor preliminary ais
cussion Of economic and legal ques
tlons. The former committee held
meeting.
NJ. Bolubowysch. Ukrainian delegate
in celebrating the Ukrainian peace POI
icy. said that any annexations or tn
surrender OF territory without the con
sent of the peoples involved was mad
missible. as likewise were war indem
mites. Material assistance should
extended to small states which ha
suffered from the devastating effects 0
, war. .
Inasmuch as the Russian Council Q
Peoples Commissioners did not repre-
sent Ukraine, ne said, any peace whic
might be negotiated would be blnd'n
for Ukraine only, if accepted by !
; The same principle, he added, apple
: to the other Russians republics.
To Be Historical Document
DR.. Won Kuehlmann proposed that IN
| Ukrainian note be placed on the rec
+ ords of the conference as IAN impol
tant historical document He addc