El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-01-08

TAVING furnished much of the tragedy Of war Russia
now is providing the comedy But 1t IS comedy
with very phase, serious to the Russians
and immensely to the Germans. And along with the
smiles which Of the United States enjoy in reading the
RussOGeman negotiations for peace realize the grave
possibilities therein included.
Probably in the whole history Of peace negotiations
there never has been meeting so serlocomc as that at
Brest LtOvs It was homogeneous IN Its inception Imagine
dgned representatives of the most sbacked autocacy
trying to reach agreement with the most radical of all
Germany realized well the incongruity but in order to
make the Of the peace opportunity, the meanwhile
hurryng troops from the Russian front fast
possible Germany told its delegates to Brest LtOvsk,
effect
mo matter how prepOsterOus the Russian proposals.
hide your grins and them with grave consideration
Even if the Russians try TO kiss you you Will have stand
that also for the sake Of the Fatherland."
When the conference assembled early December the
Russian delegates presented their proposal doubtless
drafted by the Bolshevd le1der Leon TrOtzky It
sweeping 1t declared peace only could be made basis
Of an1exat1ons by any behgerent and lndent1es
the restoration of all occupied lands the evacuation Of Rus
bases located srategcay with respect PetrogTad
and permission to small peoples to define their own
nationality.
This also was the program of the German Socialists
and Of the majority party in the reichstag The German
government felt obliged to appear to acguiesce German
delegates replied to the proposal some days ggo by accept
ing them principle. Germany made the provision how
ever that It would not agree to the principle OF no annea-
ton and indemnity unless all the entente allies also
accepted them, which obvious play to sound the
aims of the allies and at all events to spar for time
But the PanGemanS took It seriously and denounced Ger
leaders for preparing to throw away what had been
won by bloodshed-
The allies refused to consider the proposals genuine
Meanwhile though the Brest Lovsk conference had for
may adjourned in order that reports might be sent to the
interested governments and further instructions received
delegates nevertheless continued discussion of peace the
basis already agreed upon.
Here the German duphcty at once became manifest
German delegates said that while they had agreed to the
proposal that small peoples define their nationality
be considered that the peoples Of CouTand Poland
Lthuania RUSSIA had already defined their national
iy TO be German and that It would be essential
for German gasons to be maintained Libau, Riga and
elsewhere.
Thus Germany sought TO accomplish annexation Of &C.
cUped territory without giving the action just that
Then occurred the most remarkable scene this most
remarkable Of peace conferences has developed The Rus
delegation and eered the German conferee They
denounced the German suggestion with unresrained NO
enoe dared the Germans to try to take Petrograd and feed
100000 starving Russians; dared Germany to try to
the millions Of Russian peasants every Of them
armed Then they quit the conference and went home.
While this going on, German barons and admirals
PetrOgrad, holding economic conference" with
other BoheY delegates Of Russia the main idea Of the
Germans being to restore trade with Russia rapidly
possible and get everything out Of the country that could
be obtained
The German delegates painfully surprised when
one of the Russians N Rade arose and denounced Ger
manys wholesale arrest Of German Socialists together
with Russian Socialists, and demanded that all o.