weak to oppose it.  Only the Moon Sound Islands seemed to be more than he could swallow.  Secondly, and this is very characteristic, Trotski said he could never agree to our making peace with the Ukraine, since the Ukraine was no longer in the hands of its Rada, but in the hands of his troops.  It was a part of Russia, and to make peace with it would be interfering in the internal affairs of Russia itself.  The fact of the matter seems to be that about nineteen days ago the Russian troops really did enter Kieff, but were subsequently driven out, the Rada once more coming into power as before.  Whether Trotski was unaware of this latter development or purposely concealed the truth I cannot say for certain, but it seems as if the former were the case.

“The last hope of coming to an understanding with Petersburg has vanished.  An appeal from the Petersburg Government to the German soldiers has been discovered in Berlin, inciting them to revolt, to murder the Kaiser and their generals, and unite with the soviets.  Following on this came a telegram from Kaiser Wilhelm to Kuehlmann ordering him to terminate negotiations at once, by demanding, besides Courland and Lithuania, also the unoccupied territories of Livonia and Esthonia—­all without regard to the right of self-determination of the peoples concerned.

“The dastardly behaviour of these Bolsheviks renders negotiation impossible.  I cannot blame Germany for being incensed at such proceedings, but the instructions from Berlin are hardly likely to be carried out.  We do not want to drag in Livonia and Esthonia.

“February 8, 1918.—­This evening the peace with Ukraine is to be signed.  The first peace in this terrible war.  I wonder if the Rada is still really sitting at Kieff?  Wassilko showed me a Hughes message dated 6th inst. from Kieff to the Ukrainian delegation here, and Trotski has declined my suggestion to dispatch an officer of the Austrian General Staff to the spot, in order to bring back reliable information.  Evidently, then, his assertion that the Bolsheviks were already masters of Kieff was only a ruse.  Gratz informs me, by the way, that Trotski, with whom he spoke early this morning, is much depressed at our intention of concluding peace with Ukraine to-day after all.  This confirms me in my purpose of having it signed.  Gratz has convened a meeting with the Petersburgers for to-morrow; this will clear matters up, and show us whether any agreement is possible, or if we must break off altogether.  In any case, there can be no doubt that the intermezzo at Brest is rapidly nearing its end.”

After conclusion of peace with Ukraine, I received the following telegram from the Emperor: 

  “’Court train, February 9, 1918.

  “’Deeply moved and rejoiced to learn of the conclusion of peace
  with Ukraine.  I thank you, dear Count Czernin, from my heart for
  your persevering and successful endeavours.