Evening star., 1918-01-12
Trotzky Accepts German De-
mand That Scene of Negotia-
tions Be Not Transferred.
READY TO CONTINUE
APART FROM ENENTE
Desired to Utilize Every Possibility
in Ending Strife-Von Kuehlmann
Obeys Won Ludendorif's Orders.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
AMSTERDAM, January 12.-
Leon Trotzky, the bolshevik for
eign minister, at the conference at
Brest-Litovsk yesterday said that
in order not to leave any posi-
bility in the fight for peace un-
the Russian delegation
accepted the demand that the
negotiations be continued at
Brest-Litovsk.
The chairman of the Russian
delegation said that in full accord
with their former resolution, the
Russians desired to continue the
peace negotiations quite apart
from the fact whether or not the
entente powers participated.
0AS WS4S ODJCCsAonos
Referring to the objection raised by
the central powers that the transfer of
the negotiations to Stockholm or soms
other neutral point, as requested by
Russia. might enable the entente ma
tions to interfere, NJ. Trotzky said the
bolshevik government had been COM
sistent and independent in its pe4ce
to assume entente diplomacy would b
able to oppose the conclusion Of peace
more successfully on neutral soil than
In Petrograd. as
AS for the fear OF the central powers
that the entente nations might endeaver
behind the scenes to hinder the conclueton
of peace. NJ. Trotzky declared the bob
shevik policy was conducted without ne
secret methods of the old diplomacy
which, like many other things. had beeo
abolished by tho Russians in their No.
torious revolution of October. 1t was the
opinion Of the Russian delegates. he seid.
cumstances rendered it necessary to con-
tinue to hold the sessions at Brest-LitovyE
Another Point Discussed. -s
Moreover, NJ. Trotzky continued, the
Russian delegation could not pass Over
another point. which had been mentions
by the German chancellor, Count Won
II refer" he said, "to the portion Of
Count Won Hertling's statement (before
the reichstag main committee), In
which he referred. in addition to Ger
just intentions. to Germany's
powerful position (Machstellung). Tho
Russian delegation cannot deny, and
does not intend to deny, that its coun-
try. owing to the policy of the classes
l,o- hno . v
ened. But the world position of coun-
try is not determined by its technical
apparatus alone. but also by its In
herent possibilities-as indeed Ger
economic strength should not
be judged by her present conditions
and means of supply"
Greater Forces Awakened.
M. rrotzky considered that the great
er forces of the Russian people h9d
been awakened and developed by the
revolution, just rs the reformation OF
the sixteenth century and the revolu-
tion of the eighteenth century had
yitaIized the creative forces OF the Ger
man and French peoples. He added:
"The Russian government. however.
wrote the word peace at the head OF
it's program. The great sympathtes OF
the Russian people for the peoples OF
the allies strengthen the desire to at
among the peoples.
ITO remove from the quadruple et-
lance a pretext for breaking on eno
peace negotiations on technical grounqs
The Russian delegation accepts the de-
nand to remain Brest-Litovsk in order
not to leave unutilized any possibility
in the fight for peace. In renounctng
ts proposal regarding the transfer OF
to neutral soil the Rus-
sian delegation proposes continuation
If the negotiations.
Discusses Misunderstanding.
NJ. Trotzky said he considered it neceS-
which had arisen. He referred to the
statement made at the previous sitting
~ DR. Won Kuehlmann. the German
,oreign minister. that the semi-offcial
Russian news agency had disseminated
/ fictitious account of the reply made
It the sitting of December Is by hi.
[offe of the Russian delegation.
Mr., Trotzky said the official account o.
hat sitting as published in the German
newspapers reproduced accurately the
speech of M. Joffe and that the hussian
ielegation was entirely ignorant Of any
real or fictitious kilograms on the
subject such as those to which DIR.
yon Kuehlmann referred. The speak
ar said the matter would be fnvestf.
gated. and in the meantime he ex-
oressed regret for a misunderstanding
which was in no way connected with
he work of the delegation.
Freedom Not Limited.
As for the protest made by Gen. Hoff-
mann. in the name of the German CHIEF
command, against Russian wireless
messages containing appeals Of revolu-
ionary character to the German troops
stated that neither the condt-
ions of the armistice nor the char.
lcter of the peace negotiations linz
ted freedom of press or speech.
Dealing with the declarations at
he previous session by DR.. Won
and by Count Czernfn,
foreign minister
respecting the failure Of Russfasn
lilies to participate in the negotiA-
ons which vitiated the peace ofYers.pf
he central powers and resolved Dtha
to a question OF SOD
rate peace with Russia, N. Trotxky
aid: 80
1--WE are in full accord with our for-
Ter resolution. We desire to continue
he peace negotiations quite apart from
he question whether or not the entento
overs take part
I'VE note the statement OF the quad
uple alliance that the basis for q gem
raj peace formulated In their declar1S
ion Of December Is is null and void -
he entente countries In the period ~
IN tdays4ailowed thsm- did mot John
- 81.