Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-01-28
Won kUEhLMANN
Replies to Criticisms of
Peace Negotiations
Accuses BoIsbeviki Of Hypocrisy and
Insists that Germans Desire Wise
and Honorable Peace

Amsterdam, JAN e1-The German
foreign secretary, Dr.. Won Kuehlmann,
made a second speech before the
Reichstag main committee on Satur-
day replying to criticisms or the gov
eminent on the course of the negotia-
tons at Brest-Litovsk.
Difficulties in Lithuania
The secretary said: Il warmly greet
the statements of Dr.. David (Socialist
Ieader) that representative body OF
Lithuania has really been honorably
set up and that the representatives Of
the LithuanianS can strive towards the
realization Of possibilities IT has
been suggested Ahat we should wait
until the end of the war before extend
ing other existing representative
bodies. We work under difficulties in
the country in question. The war still
continues. We will, if peace is reached
with Russia, do what can Dc cone, in
conjunction with the military necessi-
ties with a view to bringing about this
extension during the war.
Herr Trotzky twice declared in open
discussion that our government has
no other basis than force. The Boil
sheviki maintain themselves by brutal
force, their arguments are cannon and
machine guns. Differ epceS of opinion
are settled by their getting rid of their
opponents in a radical and sufficient
manner. The Bolsheviki preach beau
tifully. but practice otherwise.
Bosheviki Oppression
They have solemnly recognized tie
Finnish republic. They never disputed
the right Of that Republic TO receive dip
lcmatic representatives. but when it camp
10 the act of sending representatives there
they created the greatest difficulties.
When we have news from Finland we Will
know that the soldery is exercising there
a tyranny worse than existed in the times
of the Car.
Il may point to the proceedings Of the
Bosheviki against the legal assembly.
announced with so much pomp. The main
fact in that case was that two cruisers
anchored in front of the Tauride palace
and turned their guns on its windows.
AS this argument was not sufficient
enough, the delegates were simply chased
out with bayonets."
DR. Won Kuehmann said that conversa-
tons with Poland had been carried on by
Germany and Austria for months with
zeal, but were not yet ripe for communl-
cation.
What Count Czernn said Of Poland"
he continued we can say of other Dor
der peoples who will form the objects Of
our discussion. We have precisely the
same confidence in the attractive force of
the great free German state for these
peoples and German policy never will re-
sort TO petty police pressure or any sim
liar methods which in the long run would
only have the contrary effect"
Regarding Turkey and bulgaria, he
said:
These peoples ut an hour Of
weighty import trusting Germany's
star joined our side and they shall
never get the impression from the
peace negotiations that the German
word is not binding on every German
70 the end"
The statements Of tie Bn!sheviki. lie
remarked. show that these eentlemen
are INDUCING in another policy than
that Cf concluding an open and hon
orablc peace With the BuurGeoise gov
ernmentS If the Central Powers which
are hated like poison
The secretary concluded by declar-
ing that tie German sovernhent ear
, nestly desired 4 wise ana Honorable
| peace program based on tie honest
right o. self determination or the east
peoples. including the right to rejoin
Russia; the complete establishment
Of the independence Of Belgium and
the return Of occupied French territory
On the sole condition that France fore
! goes her claim on German territory
NorWacrta asks Secretary von
kuehlmann whether any obligation
prevents him from adopting this pro-
gram