Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-01-05

The statement apparently is based
on a contribution by diplomatic
correspondent which is printed be-
meath it. The writer says that owing
to the Bolsheviki discovery Of Ger
man duplicity anything may happen.
THREE Alternatives.
There are" he says, three alterna-
tives: The Bolsheviki may give way,
the Germans may give way, or there
will be rupture of relations. The
first is hardly likely i'll view of Foreign
Minister Trotzky's declaration. The
second is possible. for the Germans
are past masters in the art OF specious
compromise. But the third is most
probable. since the Bolsheviki have
exhibited a perspicacity which was
hardly expected in this country. ....
Defensive War.
Russia, the land of boundless sur
prises, may quite possibly witness a
revival of war, if not in the most
active form, it might at least be
sullenly defensive war, necessitating
the keeping on the frontier of con-
siderable German force. Ii would at
least prevent those pleasant and
profitable commercial exchanges
which Germany hopes for.
Assuming such situation and the
consolidation OF Bolsheviki power,
provided failure to extract peace
does not wreck the Lenine regime.
then recognition of that power as the
de facto government follows. Since
that is so socialist would be the
logical representative Of that govern
uent and Maxim Litvinoff, who has
been appointed, is likely enough oc-
chpant Of the embassy"
| Strengthen Allies Cause.
Referring TO the retirement of Sir
George W., Buchanan, the British am
bassador to Russia, whose services
are praised highly, the writer says:
in his place probably, would be
sent a diplomat in marked sympathy
with the ideas Of revolutionary Rus
sia, I.. ......- .
BE that as it may, we expect
shortly some new statement OF policy
with regard to Russia which, should
it lean toward the latest developments
and democracy, would undoubtedly
strengthen the allied cause in Rus
sia." '"
Offer to Persia. -
The Bolsheviki foreign minister,
Leon Trotzky,iis said by the Pctro-
grad correspondent of the Exchange
Telegraph company to have sent
communication to the Persian gov
ernment offering to begin negotiations
for the withdrawal of Russian troops
from Persian territory, provided Tur-
key will withdraw its forces. f
The Russian commissioners, the
correspondent says, have decided to
negotiate with the government of
Ukraine on the basis of recognition
of the Ukrainian republic, provided it
does not hinder military operations
against General Kaledines, the Co.'S
sack leader. 1t is suggested that
these negotiations be held at Smol-
ensk or Vitebsk. .. .
Kerensky Makes Statement. /.
According to the same correspnd-
ent, NJ. kerensky, the deposed pre-
mier, has prepared an account of his
services during the period of the first
revolution, which wi be presented to
the constituent assembly. 1t includes
full details Of conditions at the front
during the June offensive and the rea-
SONS why NJ. Kerensky decided to re-
move former Emperor Nicholas to
| Siberia ...
In the archives of the Russian for.
cign Office there have been discov-
cred documents of unusual interest
dealing with negotiations between
Germany and the imperial Russian
government in regard to a national
convention TO combat socialism.
Other curious documents relating to
the origin Of the war throw light on
certain aspects OF German policy.
These papers will be published as
500, as they have been, classified. -,
Commission Works Slowly.
Petrograd, Thursday, Jan. 3.-The
work OF the commission which is
dealing with prisoners is proceeding
slowly. The Russian delegates
! NIdllllCu lIlC llRHl 10 SclIu ally puDll-
cations they desired to Russian pris-
oners in Germany and to socialists
in the central empires. They also
demanded unrestricted direct tele-
graphic communication with repre-
sentatives OF the socialist parties in
the enemy countries. Y The German
delegates replied they were unauthor-
lied to make an agreement OH this
point. ..
Germany Posed as Conqueror.
Disclosure Of details of the Brest-
! Litovsk peace negotiations make il
clear that Germany assumed a DOM
ineerWg attitude, while Austria, Bull
garia and Turkey were very concii-
iatory and disagreed with the German
position.
/ There were differences also among
the German delegates during the gem
eral meetings. Foreign Minister Won
kuehlmann and General Hoffman,
clashing openly. Germany posed con-
stantly as a conqueror, while her three
allies showed eagerness for peace and