The Germans categorically refused to accept terms which they said could only be applied to a beaten country. They then put up their own terms.
At the meeting at noon on the 5th Yoffe read a declaration that the Russians had decided to break off negotiations in order to return to consult their Government. The enemy delegates were visibly annoyed, but brightened considerably when a temporary truce was arranged, to expire at noon on December 17th.
Most of the delegates behaved themselves, but the peasant got drunk and very argumentative. The soldier tried propaganda on his own and got a rebuff. He tried to reason with a German soldier: “ We have kicked out our Nikolai, why don’t you do the same with your Wilhelm? ” The German said: “ Why should I pull a sound tooth out of my head because you had a toothache a year ago?”
I finished the suits of “Petrushka” with paint and set off to Bertensen to come to agreement about the further. Along the way I bought (on the warrant issued by our house committee, otherwise it is impossible) rubber galoshes in the Andreevsky market; unfortunately, except for the pointy ones, there were no more left.
The Secretary of the Soviet, Alyosha Tsvetkov, set off on a reconnaissance mission. He came back with a report, stating that an amazingly well-equipped building had been found. It had everything: small, separate rooms, a canteen, a kitchen, all facilities, and - crucial in these hungry times - food supplies. See more
Meanwhile the Bolshevik doctrines had begun their destructive work in the detachment which was guarding us and which hitherto had been fairly proof against them. It was composed of very varied elements: the men of the ist and 4th Regiments were for the most part favourably disposed towards the Imperial family, and especially towards the children. See more
The Russian people have been poisoned by the very same falsehoods that have kept the German people in the dark, and the poison has been administered by the very same hands. The only possible antidote is the truth.