The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-02-02
RUSSIANS REJECT
HUN PEACE TERMS
Germans Demand Courland and
All Baltic Provinces in a
Final Ultimatum.
SLAV DELEGATES ASK TINE
Teutons Declare Occupation of ReVaI
VIII Follow RefusaI-Worlmen's
Council to Decide Question.

Washington, Jan. 25.-After weeks
Of vacillation the Germans at last
have presented their demands TO the
peace conference at Brest-Litovsk
and the Russians have declined 10 ae-
cede to them.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
imperial German chancellor in his
many-times postponed speech TO the
main committee of the reichstag an
nounces that he still holds the hope
that an early and satisfactory conclu-
sion of the Brest-Litovsk cinference
viii be reached, the terms of the Ger
mans as enunciated by General Hoff-
man, one OF their chief delegates to
the peace conference, so far form an
insuperable barrier for the Bolshevik
government, which has expressed a
determination to carry out a policy Of
no annextions and no indemnities-
The German Demand.
Courland in its entirety and all Of
Russia's Baltic provinces are TO be
retained by Germany, according to
General Hoffman in what is termed
Germany's last proposal to the Rus
SLAMS, and the added threat was given
that if the Russians failed TO &C
Quiesce in the demands further in
roads into their territory would fol-
low and the important port of RevaI,
near the mouth Of the Gulf OF Fin
land, would be occupied
Last Delay Is Granted.
In theatric fashion Hoffman delim-
tied on a map before the astonished
Russian delegates the new Russian
frontier as the German intend it TO
run-frOm the shores of the Gulf of
Finland eastward to the Moon Sound
islands and then to the west of Minsk,
and thence to Brest-Litovsk, leaving
within German boundaries some OF
Russia's choicest territory.
Amazed at the audacity of the Ger
man program the Russian delegates
asked for time to consider the de
mands. This was grudgingly given,
together with the announcement that
it was the last postponement that
could be expected. The latest advices
are to the effect that the Russians
have unanimously rejected the Ger
man terms.
Resume Fighting in West.
Washington, Jan. 24.-The notable
feature in the world war is the ap-
parent resumption, and on "a some
what larger scale, of the military op-
erations on the western front in
France and Belgium.
Although for the moment these op-
eratiOns, viewed from the cold facts
as announced by the various war Of
fees, do not transcend in importance
the usual small operations by raiding
and recOpnoitering parties which have
been in progress since the severe win
try weather began, reading between
the lines of the communication it is
not difficult to see that the maneuY-
ers now in progress on various sec
tors are in the nature of trying cut
processes Of a marked character.
The Weather Is Moderating.
From the North Sea to the Swiss
frontier the lessening in the rigors of
the winter has permitted the beIliger-
ents again to send forth their men in
enterprises which seemingly forecast
the intention shortly to resume fight
ing activity more extensively
For weeks the big guns along the
entire battle front have been roaring
in intensive duels on numerous sec
tors, but the infantry has lain idle ow-
ing to the deep SHOWS and later to the
morasses which formed as a result Of
the thaw.
Germans Made q Raid
On their extreme right in Northern
Belgium the Germans have carried
out an important raid" and gained a
footing In French advanced trenches
aart nf A-ia,nrnnr-t hut rr-oro l--to- oicoa-