Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-15
WILL INVADE RUSSIA
Continued from page I

"As Trotzky's attitude, particularly
concerning the Application of the principle
Of self-dctermnation, made satisfactory
conclusion impossible, it became the
political task of the powers who were
working for peace tn make n breach IN the
eastern front, that is, to arrange n peace
with the Ukraine, thereby also arriving
at a settlement of the Russian and Ru-
nanian questions Peace with the Ukraine
had to be made if only because war was
opened by 1T to eastern Europe g richest
granary. True, the country is not yet
organized properly, but opportunity to
effect improvements is now given, and
in conformity with the agreement stocks
of food will be imported here rs lar as
they are available
The statement adds that peace with
the Ukraine WAS obtainable only on
condition that Choim should be ceded
to the Ukraine, the desire for which could
be fulfilled by the application OF the
principle of self determination which IS
recognized as applying to Russian terri
tory. Cholm, it is declared, Is such q
mixed country ethnographcally that
there cannot be a question OF ITS belonging
To Poland.
Opposition tn the arrangement IS com
batted by the statement which declares IT
is unntelligible. inasmuch as the principle
of seIf-determination Is appropriate Tor
All Russian territory and, therefore, for
Russian Poland 1t adds that the ar
ranrement did not surprise the Poles,
who never received definite promise and
who often advocated the principle now
applied to the demarcation of the frontier
NOT BOUND TO BoLsHEyIKI
Peace with the Ukraine" the state
ment continues, is the cornerstone of the
entire peace structure and opposition 20
these arrangements cannot be regarded
as compatible with the interests OF the
monarchy.
"In conformity with the stipulations of
the treaty. all Ukrainian surplus grain Is
TO be exported UP to July 81. \ commits
sion has been formed to determine the
amount of supplies and TO what extent
we can give assistance IN this respect
Assistance will be gwen both technically
and militarily. Military support will be
required if central depots and functions
must be protected from attacks by ban
dts and the Bolsheviki. 1t Is not a ques-
ton of military alliance, but common
/ organization for the protection OF railway
service and delivery OF grain.
The statement then refers to the effect
produced at Brest-Litovsk by the con-
clusion of peace with the Ukraine and
says
''Trotzky and his government, recognlz-
ing the imposslbilty OF continuing the
war under the present circumstances, pre-
ferred 10 lay down their arms With Ger.
tain eclat and To assume the pose OF al
oppressed people. Russian tactics, how
ever. appear to be the worst for thcm be
cause we are in NO wise bound by then
declaration and from the standpoint o
international law we are still in u state o
| war with Russia, dallned at present by
the temporary arnlstIcc.
The Russian government gave u
opportunity To denounce the arln1stlct
and continue the war or To make 4 smlla
| peace declaration. The Austro-HungarlaI
government has no reason to denounce tn
armistIce.
'1n Germany a more skeptical opin'oI
appears to prevail, but an exchange o
view should soon take place. On the othe
hand, it would be great mistake on ou
part to announce a state OF peace and thu
bind our hands. That would not do If, 10
/ example, we have to intervene to protec
the Ukraine.
Our relations with the Russian govern
ment. however, are not broken, neither d
the Russians wish this On the contrar,
they desire to continue diplomatic rela
tions through the wireless and the com
missions now sitting in Petrograd.
eve shortly expect declaration tha
Rumania is ready to enter INTO negotla
tions with us.