“January 20, 1918.—­The negotiations have now come to this:  that Trotski declares his intention of laying the German proposals before Petersburg, though he cannot accept them himself; he undertakes, in any case, to return here.  As to calling in representatives from the outer provinces, he will only do this provided he is allowed to choose them.  We cannot agree to this.  With the Ukrainians, who, despite their youth, are showing themselves quite sufficiently grown to profit by the situation, negotiations are proceeding but slowly.  First they demanded East Galicia for the new ‘Ukrainia.’  This could not be entertained for a moment.  Then they grew more modest, but since the outbreak of trouble at home among ourselves they realise our position, and know that we must make peace in order to get corn.  Now they demand a separate position for East Galicia.  The question will have to be decided in Vienna, and the Austrian Ministry will have the final word.

“Seidler and Landwehr again declare by telegram that without supplies of grain from Ukraine the catastrophe is imminent.  There are supplies in the Ukraine; if we can get them, the worst may be avoided.

“The position now is this:  Without help from outside, we shall, according to Seidler, have thousands perishing in a few weeks.  Germany and Hungary are no longer sending anything.  All messages state that there is a great surplus in Ukraine.  The question is only whether we can get it in time.  I hope we may.  But if we do not make peace soon, then the troubles at home will be repeated, and each demonstration in Vienna will render peace here most costly to obtain, for Messrs. Sewrjuk and Lewicky can read the degree of our state of famine at home from these troubles as by a thermometer.  If only the people who create these disturbances know how they are by that very fact increasing the difficulty of procuring supplies from Ukraine!  And we were all but finished!

“The question of East Galicia I will leave to the Austrian Ministry; it must be decided in Vienna.  I cannot, and dare not, look on and see hundreds of thousands starve for the sake of retaining the sympathy of the Poles, so long as there is a possibility of help.

“January 21, 1918.—­Back to Vienna.  The impression of the troubles here is even greater than I thought, and the effect disastrous.  The Ukrainians no longer treat with us:  they dictate!

“On the way, reading through old reports, I came upon the notes relating to the discussions with Michaelis on August 1.  According to these, Under-Secretary of State von Stumm said at the time: 

“’The Foreign Ministry was in communication with the Ukrainians, and the separatist movement in Ukrainia was very strong.  In furtherance of their movement, the Ukrainians demanded the assurance that they should be allowed to unite with the Government of Cholm, and with the areas of East Galicia occupied by Ukrainians.  So long as Galicia belongs to Austria, the demand for East Galicia cannot be conceded.  It would be another matter if Galicia were united with Poland; then a cession of East Galicia might be possible.’