PEACE TALK.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1918, Page 5

PEACE TALK.

THE OCCUPIED TERRITORIES. .STATEMENT BY BARON KUIILMANX. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter. lleceived Jan. 18, 9.5 p.in London, Jan. 17. A wireless German message states that at the Brest Litovsk negotiations on Monday, Baron von Kuhhnann said the Russian proposals regarding the occupied regions were not acceptable, as they represented a one sided Russian demand, Baron von Kuhhnann emphasised that peace with Russia was not connected with a general peace, as the Central Towers were compelled to continue tile war against their other enemies. Regarding the constitutional organisation of the newly-created States, Baron von Kuhhnann quoted a United States Supreme Court decision that the United •States sovereignty existed from the date of the declaration of independence, irrespective of England's recognition. He affirmed that Austria and Germany did not intend to incorporate the occupied territories into their respective countries, or compel them to accept this or that form of State, but reserved a free hand for tiie conclusion of treaties oi every kind. He added that it was impossible to withdraw the armies during the war. Baron von Kuhhnann also stated that the Central Powers were prepared to agrefe' to the principle! of the people's vote, hut were opposed to a referendum, pointing out that Ukraine and Finland had been created by resolutions of the national assembly. An understanding between Russia and the Central Powers was impossible unless Russia saw the question from the German side, instead of formulating dictatorial, one-sided aims.