Evening journal., 1918-02-20

Will not allow Finland. Lithuanla
and Ukraine to be ruined by Bolsheviki
excesses," Foreign Minister Kuelhmann
declared in the Reichstag yesterday, ac-
cording TO dispatches received here to-
day.
I'VE will see what effect the new
military plans will have toward Rus
sia."
BY the United Press.
/ PARIS, Feb. 20-Violent cannonading
occurred in the Butt Du Mesnil sector
Of the Champagne region and in the
/ Vosges the French official communique
stated today. Enemy raids failed in
Quincey wood and northwest Of Cour-
cey and Nauquois.
American artillery has aided the
/ French infantry at Butt Du Mesnil.
BY The United Press.
LONDON, Feb 2O.-Gen Hoffman,
leader Of the German militarists at the
recent Brest-Litovsk peace conference,
wants proof Of Russia's Willingness to
accede to the German terms, according
to a wireless from Petr0grad today. In
acknowledging receipt Of the peoples
commissaries' wireless message yester-
day-signed "Lenine and Trotsky"-in
which It was declared the Bolshevlki
had been forced to express willing
ness" to sign a German peace, Hoffman
declared he desired TO see the original
signatures. They are being forwarded
10 Dvinsk.
Hoffman said the Russian offer had
been handed to the German govern
ment, but a wireless message cannot
be regarded as an official document"
II request Authorization Of the writ
ing" Hoffman said 1t must be sent "a
headquarters at Dvinsk"
The Bolsheyiki. in announcing the.
were sending the signatures, requested
a prompt reply.
BY The United Press.
COPENHAGEN, Feb. 2O.-Twenty lives
were lost when a German guardship
struck one Of its own mines in the Bal
tic sea, according to a report reaching
here today.
BY The United Press.
LONDON. Feb. 20-After a heavy bonn
: bardment Of the British lines east OF
Arleux and Engshelle, the Germans at
tempted a raid, Field Marshal Haig re-
. ported TO the war office today.
: "The raid was completely repulsed,
; his statement asserted. "A number OF
/ Germans We're killed or made prisoners
"North Of Wychaete we carried out a
successful local surprise early IN the
night. taking several prisoners.
Northwest Of St. Quentin there was
, patrol activity
London morning newspapers agreed
TODAY that the cabinets crisis result
, ing from the Versailles conference has
r subsided. Only the Post and the News
% continue their hostility toward Lloyd
5 George. alleging that the control or the
b. British army has been divided.
DEVELOPMENTS in the Eastern theatre
e were awaited with eagerness by al
t lied diplomatic and military officials
today.
The latest oflcial report from Ber-
I lin declared the German forces were
advancing in Russia on a front extend
I ing from Riga to Luck, distance OF
e 800 miles. The former city has been
e In the hands Of the Germans since theiI
s last big drive. The latter town was
occupied by General Linsingen yester'
day without opposition.
The statement made public by Pre-
mier Lenine and Foreign Minister
, Trotzlrv declaring the peoples com
missaries had been forced to declar.
their willingness" 10 sign the peace
dictated by the Central Powers, was
] the basis Of considerable speculation
a here.
s This willingness might indicate ;
{, disposition TO evade a definite show.
4 down with Germany as long as pos
sible.