 Complete the following phrase:  In the negotiations with the Soviet Government, Hindenburg wanted to retain control of all Russian territory that the Central Powers occupied, with German grand dukes ruling Courland and Lithuania, as well as a large slice of Poland. Their Polish plan was opposed by Foreign Minister Richard von Kühlmann, who encouraged the kaiser to listen to the views of Max Hoffmann, chief of staff on the Eastern Front. Hoffmann demurred but when ordered argued that it would be a mistake bring so many Slavs into Germany, when only a small slice of Poland was needed to improve defenses. Ludendorff was outraged that the kaiser had consulted a subordinate, while Hindenburg complained that the kaiser disregards our opinion in a matter of vital importance. The kaiser backed off, but would not approve Ludendorffs order removing Hoffmann, who is not even mentioned in Hindenburgs memoir. When the Soviets refused the terms offered at Brest-Litovsk the Germans repudiated the armistice and in a week 