The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-12-18

had, after taking kicff on March l.
1918. continued their advance more
slowly. Odessa had fallen on inc
i7th. after slight resistance IN
this operation German troops. VINO
had advanced thru Moldavia after
the conclusion of tho preliminary
peace with Rumania on March 4
had co-operatcd. In the succeeding
period general headquarters had 10
bear In mind the objects for which
the occupation OF tho Ukraine mad
been undertaken. and to carry the
advance no further than those OBJ
jects necessi,ated.
The Ukraine had asked for our
helm. We ourselves. and even more
Austria and Its army, needed grain:
the country could not, therefore. be
allowed to become source OF
strength. 10 Bolshevism. We had TO
strengthen il sufficiently to enable
Il TO be useful 10 us.
The principal grain district We had
occupied after the capture or Clark
off on April s. The commander'in-
chief In the east now found that the
railways could not be worked with
out the coal Of the ponctx basin
Opposite the northeas, corner OF the
Black seal SO. wiiiy.niliy. we had to
agree to occupy this part OF the
Ukraine as well and 20 advance our
lines as far as Rostosf. which was
reached at tho beginning OF May. In
spite OF this, we were Obliged at
first 10 send very considerable guam
.ities OF coal from Germany 10 the
Ukraine: this Import. however, de
creased when more coal was procur-
able locally.
Besides the railway. we also need
cd secure water transport from the
Hack Sea ports 10 Braila- The Rus
sian Black Sea fleet had caused US
difficulties at Odessa. Nlcoiaief and
Chcron. Which government IL was
Under was doubtful: In any event. IL
Id not carry out the conditions OF
the peace Of Brest In Sebastopol 10
would always be a danger to naviga-
tim. 10 at tho end Of April we oc-
onpicd the Crimea. Part OF the Rus
s>ln fleet escaped to Novorossisk. II
wAs intended to make use OF the
ships captured In sebastopol so far
- We could provide crews for
them.
The occupation Of this extensive
territory had led to fresh conflicts
vnth Boishevtk bands and troops. In
unss cases they were driven off
without trouble. After the advance
~ stopped the commander In chief
II the east had agreed upon a line
ee demarcation with the soviet gov.
eminent.
IL was significant OF this govern
0eue that Il often accused our
0Dsps 81 pst respecting this line.
Will 70 had reports from our com
rmndeT In chief that Bolsbsvik
bondb had raided the territory
which our troops were 10 protect.
uhsfsrtunsssiy the foreign office sp-
pearsd TO believe Bolsheyik Hes
sooner tisan our statements.
After a good deal OF discussion
With ths Austrian headquarters at
Faden CIR respective sphere OF in
tsres, In the Ukraine was settled.
On this. the quartermastsr general
effected an agreement with Austria
Hungary, and the exploitation Of
the supplies was regulated After
wards. however. in view of the way
Austria. Hungary had been ssixing
our supplies, this agreement had 70
be modified, 40 that we undertook
the collecting Of supplies In the
whole OF the Ukraine and their dis
trfbution. This was only an expedi.
ent, unfortunately a necessary one.
In order 10 establish a practical
working system
HAD A CONFUSED
SYSTEM
The German military and civil
authorities found ample scope for
their activities. I followed every
thing with great attention. since
general headquarters was principally
.terested In the result. Field mar
shai Won Elchhorn had taken over
the army group at Kieff; the gov
eminent was represented by Am
bassador Won Mumm. The collection