File No. 763.72/8832
The Minister in Rumania ( Vopicka) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 12, 12.20 p.m.]
33. Prime Minister Bratiano and his successor, General Averesco, named yesterday, both argued that there was no use for Roumania to keep on fighting because according to the speeches of President Wilson and Lloyd George even if the Allies win Roumania is not to get any additional territory. This argument is also used by Roumanian peace party. I told the Prime Ministers that our Government sent a letter to the King,1 copies of which were given to them, and they as diplomats all could, if they wished, read between the lines, and therefore their arguments were worthless.
The Queen sent for me last night and asked that I and the other Allied ministers should stand by the King in his hour of trial and to have our respective Governments assure the King his dynasty and guarantee all other contracts entered into by the Allies, especially in case he should be forced to leave Roumania. It is secretly circulated that the Allies are about to make peace with Turkey and Bulgaria and that America and Japan are sending soldiers to Siberia. If there is any foundation in these rumors the Queen said it would greatly strengthen Roumania’s position. I asked her to use all her influence against making immediate peace at this time. Peace just signed between Central Powers and Ukraine strengthens peace party here.