name of the Ukrainian People’s Republic, to take part in the negotiations with the Governments of Germany, Austria-Hungary, Turkey and Bulgaria as to the terms of peace between the mentioned states and the Russian Federative Republic.  With this end in view the mentioned deputies, Jesim Gregoriewitch Medwjedew, Wasili Matwjejewitch Schachrai and Wladimir Petrowitch Satonski are empowered, in all cases where they deem it necessary, to issue declarations and to sign documents in the name of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Government of the Ukrainian Republic.  The accredited representatives of the Ukrainian Workers’ and Peasants’ Government are bound to act throughout in accordance with the actions of the accredited representatives of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Government of the Russian Federative Republic, whereby is understood the Council of People’s Commissaries.

“‘In the name of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Government of the
Ukrainian People’s Republic, the People’s Secretary for International
Affairs, for Internal Affairs, Military Affairs, Justice, Works,
Commissariat.

“’The Manager of the Secretariat.

“’Kharkov, 30th December, 1917/12th January, 1918.

“’In accordance with the copy.

“‘The President of the Russian Peace Delegation, A. Joffe.’

“This is at any rate a new difficulty, since we cannot and will not interfere in the internal affairs of Russia.

“This once disposed of, however, there will be no further difficulties to encounter here; we shall, in agreement with the Ukrainian Republic determine that the old boundaries between Austria-Hungary and the former Russia will also be maintained as between ourselves and the Ukraine.

=Poland=

“As regards Poland, the frontiers of which, by the way, have not yet been exactly determined, we want nothing at all from this new state.  Free and uninfluenced, the population of Poland shall choose its own fate.  For my part I attach no great weight to the form of the people’s vote in this respect; the more surely it expresses the general wish of the people, the better I shall be pleased.  For I desire only the voluntary attachment of Poland; only in the express wish of Poland itself toward that end can I see any guarantee for lasting harmony.  It is my unalterable conviction that the Polish question must not be allowed to delay the signing of peace by a single day.  If, after peace is arrived at, Poland should wish to approach us, we will not reject its advances—­the Polish question must not and shall not endanger the peace itself.

“I should have been glad if the Polish Government had been able to take part in the negotiations, since in my opinion Poland is an independent state.  The Petersburg Government, however, takes the attitude that the present Polish Government is not entitled to speak in the name of the country, and does not acknowledge it as competent to represent the country, and we therefore gave way on this point in order to avoid possible conflict.  The question is certainly one of importance, but it is more important still in my opinion to set aside all difficulties likely to delay the negotiations.