File No. 861.00/1050
The Minister in Rumania ( Vopicka ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 3, 10.37 p.m.]
25. Replying to the Department’s circular January 29, 4 p.m.,1 I beg to report that I have no means of communication with Petrograd and the other Russian towns except Kiev and Odessa through military wireless. Last American courier left here January 12 and since then there have been no couriers.
General [Mackensen?] notified Rumanian Consul to send representative to Focsani to discuss armistice as they claim that new situation is created by the severing of diplomatic relations with Rumania by the Bolsheviki. No time limit was stipulated but it was intimated that negotiations should begin as soon as possible. Prime Minister will call military and ministerial meeting to-morrow to decide on future action. He does not appear to be downcast but Rumania is and feels with us [used up?]. My opinion is that if Germany will return occupied territory with the exception of Silistria and permit Rumanians to occupy Bessarabia Rumania will make separate peace. Nothing else left for Rumania to do and if Bolsheviki obtain upper hand in Ukrainia and south Russia they would be worse enemies than Germany. The Allied Ministers will endeavor to have armistice prolonged and have no action taken. I believe nothing will be done unless Germany threatens attack Rumania.
Rumanians have about 50,000 soldiers in Bessarabia. Rumanians have occupied Kishinev and [entering] Bendery to-day. It is impossible ship food from Bessarabia to Rumania unless Rumanians in the control of railroad between Kishinev and Jassy and therefore Rumanian intervention was necessary.
Believing that the Department has no report from Russia, report that fight took place yesterday in Odessa between the Bolsheviki and other factions. A great many killed and about 5,000 wounded. Shall endeavor to obtain information regarding Russia from French and communicate the same to the Department. In Ukrainia fight is going on between the Bolsheviki and Ukrainians. Latest information is that Bolsheviki possess [omission?] arsenal. Bolsheviki do not wish Ukrainians make separate peace unless the whole of Russia does.
- Not printed.↩