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.