“The differences remaining do not appear to me so great but that a discussion of these points might lead to a clearer understanding and bring us closer still.

“The situation, then, seems to be this:  Austria-Hungary on the one hand, and the United States of America on the other, are the two Great Powers in the hostile groups of states whose interests are least opposed one to the other.  It seems reasonable, then, to suppose that an exchange of opinion between these two Powers might form the natural starting point for a conciliatory discussion between all those states which have not yet entered upon peace negotiations. (Applause.) So much for Wilson’s proposals.

=Petersburg and the Ukraine=

“And now, gentlemen, I hasten to conclude.  But this conclusion is perhaps the most important of all I have to say; I am endeavouring to bring about peace between the Ukraine and Petersburg.

“The conclusion of peace with Petersburg alters nothing in our definitive situation.  Austro-Hungarian troops are nowhere opposed to the Petersburg Government—­we have the Ukrainian against us—­and it is impossible to export anything from Petersburg, since they have nothing there themselves but revolution and anarchy, goods which the Bolshevists, no doubt, would be glad to export, but which I must politely decline to receive.

“In spite of this, I wish to make peace with Petersburg as well, since this, like any other cessation of hostilities, brings us nearer to the general peace.

“It is otherwise with Ukraine.  For the Ukraine has supplies of provisions which they will export if we can agree on commercial terms.  The question of food is to-day a matter of anxiety throughout the world; among our opponents, and also in the neutral countries, it is a burning question.  I wish to profit by the conclusion of peace with those Russian states which have food to export, in order to help our own population. We could and would hold out without this assistance. But I know my duty, and my duty bids me do all that can be done to lighten the burden of our suffering people, and I will not, therefore, from any hysterical nervousness about getting to final peace a few days or a few weeks earlier, throw away this possible advantage to our people.  Such a peace takes time and cannot be concluded in a day.  For such a peace must definitely state whether, what and how the Russian party will deliver to us, for the reason that the Ukraine on its part wishes to close the business not after, but at the signing of peace.

“I have already mentioned that the unsettled conditions in this newly established state occasion great difficulty and naturally considerable delay in the negotiations.

=Appeal to the Country=

“If you fall on me from behind, if you force me to come to terms at once in headlong fashion, we shall gain no economic advantage at all, and our people will then be forced to renounce the alleviation which they should have gained from the peace.