The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-02-16
KUHLMANN CURT
TO B0LSHEVIKI
Tells TrOtZky Germany Was
Its Own Judge in RecOg-
nizing the Ukraine.
VAGUE ON OTHER POINTS
Says Poland and COurland
Must Act Only Through Ex-
isting Local Bodies.
VAGUE ON OTHER POINTS

AMSTERDAM, Feb. 15.--Germany was
pictured as a peace loving, non-aggres-
slve nation in the speech OF DR.. Won
kuhlmann. the German Foreign Secre-
tary. at the concluding session OF the
recent peace conference at Brest-Litovsk.
DR.. Won kuhlmann said the Russians
should have no fear that Germany held
any designs OH Russia.
II need only refer NJ Trotzky the
Bolshevik Foreign Minister to the per-
manent basis of the German policy.
which. up to the time when war with
Russia was forced on the German peo-
pie. consisted in the preservation of good
and friendly relations toward our East
ern neighbors." Dr. Won kuhlmann de-
clared. "Germany's policy always viii
continue-as soon as the war has
reached a satisfactory conclus!on-to
strive for the friendliest relations with
newly organised Russia by avoiding all
Interference in its internal affairs"
---sDv. vSws zeuAtuann salA xke 0eeraan
idea in drawing the frontier llres for
Poland. CourlAnd and Ilthuania was ITO
observe the racial point Of view as sug-
gested BY the Russian delegations. and
we have done this in accordance with
historical demaroAtion and ethnograph-
ical position
Holds Thin Ray Of Hope.
"As regards the future lot Of these
people" DR.. Won Kuhlmann continued.
although we believe their wishes al
ready have been expressed in accord
ance with the principle Of self -determina-
ton. We are ready by a systematic ex-
sens!on OF existing representative bodies
to provide for the possibility Of further
expression Of the national will on the
broades. possible basis. The determine
In NJ ha 81
sion Of popular will must be decided b.
existing representative bodies in those
territories
As to separate peace with Ukraine
DR.. Won Kuhlmann said. the Central
Powers must reserve the right 70 be their
own Judges as to what states they should
recognize, They had recognized the
Ukraine. he added. and there was no
use discussing that question any fur
ther.
Count Czernn. Austro-Hungarlan
Foreign Minister. expressed surprise that
Trotzky had introduced the subject OF
| the Ukraine at the peace conference.
The relations between the Ukraine
and the Petrograd Government said
Count Czernin, do not concern the
Central Powers, and our conclusion OF a
peace with the Ukraine cannot he re-
garded as an unfriendly act toward the
Petrograd Government. We signed no
treaty OF alliance with the Ukraine
| against the Petrograd Government. but
| only treaty OF peace. which makes the
| rkrairte. so far as the Central Powers
! are concerned. merely a neutral state
Replying TO Trtzky's inquiry regard
Ing the frontier south ~ Brest Litovsk
| Or, Won Kuhlmann said:
I'm drawing these frontiers we, at
, tempted merely to And a middle course
between racial divisions and the histori-
cal frontier"
Proposal by kuhlmann.
| DR. Won kuhlmann proposed new
text for the second article Of the peace
I treaty. to the effect that certain frontier
| territories. which were not defined
should no LONGER be subject to the terri
! torial sovereignty of Russia, and that
| In the future the lot OF these territories
should 'bc decided In agreement with
their respective peoples according to
agreements which Germany or Austria
| Hungary shall make with them"
The point was. Or Won kuhlmanr
! added. that the evacuation of certain
territories by the Central Powers was
I promised on condition that the Russians
evacuated Turkish territory simultanc'
ously A subcommittee ha wing failed &c
/ reach an agreement on the new frontier
proposed by the Central Powers, another
plenary meeting was held Sunday, wher
NJ Trotzky made his statement regard
ing the ending OF the war and the de
mobilization Of the Russian army.
I DIR. Won kuhlmann then asked TrotzkI
to state where the frontiers OF Russia
ran and whether Russia was willing tc
resume commercial and legal relation.
with the Central Powers Trotzky re
piled that his delegation had exhausted
all its powers and considered II nece~
sary to return to Petrograd. Commun
cation, he added. might he resumed By
wireless or through the representa- tive
of the Central Powers then in Petrograd