Evening journal., 1918-02-01
now Sees
IMP PERIALISN IN
Wilson VAR AIMS
Continued From First PAGE

.LQQtlnueQ from flrsJ Page
sentiment among the peoples that It
would have made impossible the con-
tinuance OF the war after the long well
come armis'ice and would have forced
a negotiated democratic peace.
Any attempt to renew the war after
negotiations would undoubtedly result
in the overthrow Of all the govern
meuts That is why the Entente fought
shy Of our invitation 30 Join the general
peace negotiations.
They hope still TO crush the Central
Empires and they do not desire TO sac
riilce their own imperialistic ambi-
tons"
Al this point 1 asked
But isn't President Wilson's latest
formula. despite the refusal to join in
general negotiations. q step forward o.
Tnasmuch as the other warning cOun-
tries refused to Join in general peace
nagouatlons their formulas have no real
value and are mere scraps Of paper
replied Trotzky They may be reduced
practically 90 the fact that their attitude
gives the German imperialists carte
bl9nche 10 satisfy their appetites az
Russias expense and then seek COM
promise agreement With their other
enemies.
"llr Lloyd Georse, in one Of his re-
cent speeches, practically expressed
this thought by a threat against Russia
Therefore we regard the. German
demands given US at Brest-Litovsk as
coming directly from Germany but 81
lantly approved by the governments OF
the Entente
tNhat effect would the entrance q
,he Entente TO the negotiations have
I asked.
IF ibe Allies should now announce
their willingness TO join in negotiations
for the purpose Of establishing a gen-
eral democratic peace it would iD.me-
d.ately call out q colossal response from
Austria and Germany Trotzky replied,
continuing.
we are conducting our negotiations
80 as to enable the Entente TO join al
any moment
I then asked.
"Will Russia conclude an annexation
ist. imperialistic peace, should the Al
lies fail to Join In the negotiations, the
European workers not respond to pus-
sia's call for help and the Central En-
pires seek TO force their imperialstic
demards?'
The foreign minister hotly replied
In that case we VIII act in accord
ance with the interests OF revolutionary
Russia"
He refused TO elucldate his answer
Thereupon / asked
How viii the attitude Of the Allies
resa' ding the latest Russian actions
against Rumauia influence your
policy ?'
The attitude Of the Allied ambas-
sadors at Petrograd is not able to in
fuence the situation he replied, "as
we are unconcerned because with Ru-
mania shooting our t~0ors and seizing
our provinces, we and she are virtually
IN a state Of war
Despite his repAted refusal to see
newspaper men since his return from
B"est-Litovsk I succeeded In reaching
the foreign minister alter the passoee
Of numerous armed guards. His Office
is located in a remote corner Of the
top floor Of the gloomy, huge, yellow
ish Smoiny Institute
Trotzky was manfestly overworked
and extremely nervous. He consent
ed to the interview only after being
assured Of the interest Of the Ameri-
can people in the fate Of the Russian
revolution and the liberty OF the Rus
sian neonle
Throughout the interview he main
tanned his usual tone Of revolutionary
pride and his fond hope that the de
mocracies and peoples OF the world
ultimately will come TO the aid Of Rus
sia in her desperate struggle TO achieve
q democratic peace and reach the road
Of powerful development.