Evening star., 1918-01-27
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS
AT ASTANDST|LL
Dr.. Won KuehImann Explains
Conditions Surrounding Par
ley With Russians.
DEFENDS ARMY'S ACTIVITY
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
AMSTERDAM. January ze.-Dr. Rich
ard Won Kuehlmann. the German secre-
tary for foreign affairs. speaking at
the sitting yesterday of the main COM
mittee of the reichstag, dealt with the
peace negotiations at Brest-Litovsk.
He referred to what he termed the
fiction that the negotiators went to
Brest- -Litovsk and there concocted a
policy to accord with tho requirements
of the situation" This. he said. lacked
foundation. as Germany's eastern poll
icy had been decided upon before he
took office.
The foreign secretary explained at
some length that the central powers
had accepted the first Russian sugges-
ton for a general peace without an
nexations or indemnities as a basis for
the negotiations, but that when the en-.
tente powers failed to respond the sit
uation was changed and the proposals
of the central powers made December
% no longer held good. DIR. Won Kuehl-
mann said that after the arrival at
Brest-Litovsk of NJ. Trotzky, the Rus
sian foreign minister, the friendly
spirit which previously had prevailed
on the Russian side totally vanished.
The Russians shut themselves off and
the entire nature of the negotiations
AT the moment they are a. stand
still. but they probably will be resumed
at the beginning OF next week"
Cites Russ Disintegration.
The foreign secretary spoke of the Rus
sian dissolution into series Of republics
in which there were further disinteRratinR
elements, and expressed the opinion that
peace would be arranged with the Ukraine
| when that republic had been recognized.
He declared there was a still better pros
pect of peace with Finland.
Our differences with the bolshev1k
government" DIR. Won kuehlmann said.
''relate mainly to details regarding the
carrying out Of self-determination which,
after all. is not entirely a modern tnno-
the peace treaty after the campaign Of
1856"
Future of Occupied States.
Discussing the future Of the occupied
states, Secretary Won Kuehlmann said that
so far as carrying out the right Of SELF
disposal was concerned there was no
European law, or even custom.
THE national will. when national de.
velopment is in its infancy" he con-
tinued, ''is always formed and ex-
| pressed by relatively small number Of
| inspired leaders. The great masses then
| follow slowly. 1t Is an undeniable fact
| that certain elements Of the population.
owing to their territorial position, edu-
cation and traditions, have an over.
whelming influence in those countries
| and are entitled to speak for them.
81 agree with what was explained
here yesterday. that the decision Of q
| representative body, expressed on
| broad principles. is infinitely moro to ths
purpose than a referendum
/ The Army and Politics.
Dealing with newspaper criticisms Of
| the part played by the Army in tho
negotiations. the Secretary said that
| political and military questions were
! interpolated. as it would be impossible
| to consult headquarters by telegraph
at every point.
The chief army administration he
said, 'is a great factor in our life today.
and it would not be wise to pass 1t by.
The tasks which have been put upon It
are tremendous. Upon their solution
still depends the fate of the German en-
pire. BY the fact that representatives Of
the chief administration Of the army
can only intervene in debates by agree
ment with the political leaders, respon.
sibility for the political administration
is completely secured"
| Difficulties were raised for the negotfa-
tions, continued the secretary. by the
excited and warlike spirit of the press,
especially the Berlin press, which had
become tremendous power. He hoped
that it would realize its responsibilities.
A united front in the face of the enemy
countries was necessary for the success
of diplomatic negotiations.