The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1918-02-22
SUSPICIOUS OF
TROTzKY PEACE
Germany Worried Over Latest
Move BY the Bolsheyiki.
DECENTRALIZATION STOPPED
order For Russian Disqualification
said TO Have Been Cancelled And
Berlin Fears Trick-War
Prisoners.

Amsterdam.-Jud from the lat-
est indications in the German press,
much dissatisfaction and suspicion has
been aroused by the latest move Of
Foreign Minister Trotzky. Important
political and military leaders are said
to be comforting busily to find the
best solution to the puzzle.
The Kreuz Zeitung, of Berlin, on
Tuesday declared ION reliable informa-
tion,", that Trotzky's proposal is in no
circumstances to be regarded as a
peace offer, while it is pointed out by
other papers that the Russian war
theatre was mentioned especially in
the official army report Of Tuesday. A
Berlin telegram to the Koeleniche
Volkszeitung of Wednesday says
..The Government is not willing to
continue relations with Russia on any
basis whatsoever unless the present
Russian Government signs a regular
peace treaty. AS, however, it must be
reckoned, for the present at any rate,
that Trotzky does not think of sign
ing any formulated peace declaration,
situation is created which makes
necessary a thorough discussion be-
tween the Government and the 1u-
preme army command"
The correspondent in an apparently
inspired passage adds:
"The Chancellor is resolved under
~ ,c&o ~ ft1rfl1
negotiations in any neutral CENTRE and
it will be the affair of the Central Pow
ers TO determine where such negotia-
tions may best be held. The recall OF
the economic commission from Petro-
grad is under consideration.
On the other hand, it is evidently
realized that the question Of the big
army of Austro-German prisoners OF
war in Russian territory still con-
trolled by Petrograd cannot be over
looked"
A telegram from Vienna to the Tag
lisuhe Rundschau says:
1T is pointed out. in well-informed
quarters that the confusion and uncer-
tainty of internal conditions in Russia
demand that the Central Powers adopt
cautious and waiting attitude, and
that in spite Of the absence of a for
NAL conclusion of peace, there be no
hindrance to the exchange Of prison
ers."
All German newspapers note the
fact that three hours after message
was sent out announcing the issuance
of a disqualification order to the Rus
sim Army, another Russian message
was issued ordering that circulation
OF this communication be stopped. 1t
is suggested that this indicates that
the Bolshevik government no longer
thinks of adhering to the declaration
of Foreign Minister Trotzky.
The Zeitung Am Mittag goes SO far
as to say that there are proofs that
Trotzky's promise of Russian de-
| mobilization is sham manoeuvre. 1t
declares that reliable reports repre-
sent the Bolsheviki as energetically
forming a red guard army out of the
remnants of the Russian army in the
hope of raising 100000 men to estab-
fish Bolshevik power in the border
states.
The line of demarcation along the
eastern front must be maintained, in
consequence of the Russians refusal
to sign a peace treaty, Vienna dis
patch to the Lokal Anzeiger of Berlin
says. Turkish troops will take posses
sion of all Turkish territory which
hitherto has been occupied by Rus
slams.