New-York tribune., 1918-01-18
Will Not Withdraw Troops
From Occupied Region,
Says Berlin
New Basis Sought
For Agreement
Views at Farley Differ on
Self-Determination of
Nations

BERLIN. Jan. 17.-An official state
ment issued here to-day giving the re-
ply by the Central Powers to the Rus
sian proposals at Brest-Litovsk on
Monday says the Russian proposals
concerning the regions occupied by the
Central Powers diverge to such de-
gree from the views of the Central
Powers that in their present form they
are unacceptable.
Withdrawal of the Austrian and Ger
man troops from the occupied terri
tories while the war lasts is impos-
sbe, the statement says.
1t adds that the Russian proposals
DO not show compromising attitude
and do not consider the opposite par
ties on a just basis. Nevertheless. it
adds, the Central Powers again are
prepared to give a clearly formulated
expression Of their opinions and to try
to find basis for compromise.
For the Central Powers, as distinct
from the case with Russia, the an
nouncement adds, conclusion of peace
with Russia has no connection with a
general peace. and the Central Powers
are compelled to continue, the war.
against their other enemies.
Right of Self-Determintaion
The assertion that the right Of self
determination is an attribute of ma.
tions and not Of parts of nations js
not our conception of self-determina-
tom the statement declares. 1t must
not be assumed that the limits Of occu-
patton are standard for fixing the
boundaries of such portions.
The Austro- Germans do not intend
incorporating the territories now occu-
pied by them into their respective
countries.
The Central Powers agreed, it is con-
onued, that vote of the peoples on
broad hines be sanctioned on the basis
of citizenship, but it was declared that
referendum appeared to be imprac-
tlcabe. The Central Powers think that
vote on wide basis taken from the
electors and supplemented by a repre-
sentative body would suffice.
Deslrlng to reach an understanding
win Russia. the statement adds. the
central Powers made the foregoing far
leacnlng proposals, which represent the
most nos extreme limits within which they
sun nope to reach peaceful under
standing.
Insist on Voice in Treaties
Inc Austriars and Germans do not
lend 10 compel the territories in dis
pu'e to accept this or that form of
ae, sss out they reserve for themselves
.ao .. the peoples of the occupied terri
a.Nes free hand for the conclusion
si ~ueatles of every kind. If military
.vaatlons permit, the Central Powers
",ay endeavor to reduce the size Of the
nsupying forces to such numbers as
s necessary to maintain order and
eoNa ,es 'ecnnlcal requirements Of the
saa1y aa1try lie setting up of a national
ssnnaarmerlc may be striven for.
os s"egardlng the return to their homes
" eViiians who have been removed,
ae statement says, this question may
~ eAainlned in a benevolent spirit from
,r ."'e 10 time. but that it could be in
listed to special commission as it is
politically.
ale .ne statement says further:
III. u one takes the Russian Republics
pvSsVon psln that the Russian Republic has
.asa's and duties in regard to terri
S'n dv,les occupied by the Central Powers
Ing the time Of the Russian imperial
,bs ,bbs"he; then the extent of the territory.
W. pol;tical provisions for exercise Of
Wv, iight of self determination, the
nm.aasitory regime and the form of ex-
fG,ession fors of the peoples will are the
rsua, oua points on which to endeavor to
'each rc an adjustment"
or a"e report says DR.. Won kuehmann
da%ounced daa;,ed that the Central Powers had
ss'ueo sos 10 reply verbally in formulated
,ba " n 70 inc formulated proposals Of
,So .'e husSla delegation. He urged that
mn,d present method of drawing up for
and "eu 1eg uocuments wasted much time
'"u ied to little progress.
awe ne advised that they talk matters
nav IN the future, intrusting their
Ffaper fsp drafts to one representative
t;ran :vn each side. These two representa-
m;tta. should form an editorial com
stanS, VINO should reach an under
ta;n;ans between themselves in ascer-
ieronns ana setting down points of Diff
Pnw"cce' The reply of the Central
"sfS "T, was then read. as follows:
sane me proposals of the Russian dele
Of f',on noa. with regard to the deveolpment
piau wstters in regions OF Russia occu-
snoh ny the Central Powers diverge to
Con- degree from the views of the
form fnc'a, ,sers Powers that, in their present
ina .hey must be characterized as
chasep9SaDle. They do not possess the
for ttn wt;a o. an attitude of compromise
s;a sss;s,ven, but represent a one.sided Rns' Rms
~" ueMand which excluA.- IL L..