Middletown transcript., 1918-02-23
SUSPICIOUS Of
TR0TzkY PEACE
Germany Worried Over Latest
Move BY the BoIshevikl.
LIBERALIZATION STOPPED
Order For Russian DemobiIizat'on
Said To Have Been Cancelled And
Berlin Fears Trick-War
Prisoners,

AmSterQam.-JuUS 'lAOA CAS AAs
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 Trotz ky'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:
1.-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
ms any formulated peace declaration,
a situation is created which makes
necessary a thorough discussion be-
tween the Government and the 1u-
rreme army command"
The correspondent in an apparently
inspired passage adds:
THE Chancellor is resolved under
no circumstances to conduct further
negotiations in any neutral centre, and
it will be the affair of the Central Pow
ers to determine where such negOtia-
tons may best be held The recall OF
the economic commission from Petco-
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-
trolied by Petrograd cannot be over
locked"
4 telegram from Vienna to the Tag
iisuhe Rundschau says:
at is pointed cut in well-ineormed
quarters that the confusion and uncer-
tainty of interna. conditions in Russia
demand that the Central Powers adc?t
a cautious aid 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 tie
fact that three hours after message
was sent out announcing the issuance
of a rehabilitation order to the Rus
sin Army, another Russian message
was issued ordering that circulation
o. 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 Zetung Am Mittag goes so far
IS to say that there are proofs that
Trotzky's promise of Russian de-
mobilization is a sham nianoeuvre. 1t
declares that reliable reports repre-
sent the Bo.sheviki as energetically
forming a red guard army out of the
remnants Of the Russian army in the
hope Of raising 100000 men to estab-
lisl Bolshcvik 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.