I was presiding, and delivered the answer, and Joffe replied.

_The general offer of peace is thus to be made, and we must await the result._ In order to lose no time, however, the negotiations on matters concerning Russia are being continued meanwhile.

We have thus made a good step forward, and _perhaps_ got over the worst.

It is impossible to say whether yesterday may not have been a decisive turning point in the history of the world.
"_December 26, 1917._--The special negotiations began at 9 A.M.

The programme drawn up by Kuehlmann, chiefly questions of economical matters and representation, were dealt with so rapidly and smoothly that by 11 o'clock the sitting terminated, for lack of further matter to discuss.
This is perhaps a good omen.