The conference was not marked by any particular event, only pin-pricks between Kuehlmann and Trotski.

To-day is the first sitting of the Committee on territorial questions, where I am to preside, and deal with our territorial affairs.
"The only interesting point about the new constellation seems to be that the relations between Petersburg and Kieff are considerably worse than before, and the Kieff Committee is no longer recognised at all by the Bolsheviks as independent.
"_February 1, 1918._--Sitting of the Territorial Committee, I myself presiding, with the Petersburg Russians.

My plan is to play the Petersburgers and the Ukrainians one against the other, and manage at least to make peace with one of the two parties.

I have still some slight hope that a peace with one may so affect the other that possibly peace with both may be attained.
"As was to be expected, Trotski replied to my question, whether he admitted that the Ukrainians should treat with us alone on questions dealing with their frontiers, with an emphatic denial.

I then, after some exchange of words, proposed that the sitting be adjourned, and a plenary sitting convened, in order that the matter might be dealt with by the Kieff and Petersburg parties together.
"_February 2, 1918._--I have tried to get the Ukrainians to talk over things openly with the Russians, and succeeded almost too well.