Paris Peace Conf. 181.9202/20: Telegram
General Bandholtz to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received August 20—12:32 a.m.]
12. Despite all promises Roumanians continue removing property and yesterday removed valuable long-distance telegraph equipment. There are strong rumors of Bolshevist activity and it is understood that propaganda is having some success among Roumanian troops. M. Diamandi this date during a private conference with Italian representative stated he did not expect to remain here long as Roumania was playing a losing game, intimating that the Roumanians might suddenly pull out all of their forces, this being in line with paper he appeared to have shown British representative in error. This gentleman also complained that the Mission had recognized the Hungarian Government by receiving the Cabinet yesterday. He was told that the members of the Cabinet were informed that our seeing them was not to be construed in any way as recognition of the Archduke’s Government. Undersigned insisted a second [at session] this afternoon that Roumanian Commander or representative appear before the Mission to explain what had been done by Roumania toward complying with wishes of Supreme Council. The Italian representative argued long against summoning any such officer personally and insisted on having all such matters done in writing. As result of prolonged discussion all afternoon was wasted. However Roumanian Commander has been requested to come or send representative at tomorrow morning’s session. The situation as regards the Hungarian Government is anomalous and it does not look as though this Government could ever have any stability. Almost daily there are several Cabinet changes and the Government is decidedly weak. If there is no intention on the part of the Supreme Council to recognize the de facto Government it is believed that the Archduke should be notified accordingly. Admiral von Horthy formerly of the Austro-Hungarian Navy told Mission this date that he could organize an effective Hungarian Army within 4 days after permission to do so. If the Roumanians should decide to suddenly evacuate Budapest Admiral Troubridge could have eight monitors within the city within 4 hours.14
- For report to the Supreme Council by the Interallied Military Mission on the sessions of August 18, see HD–34, minute 8, vol. vii, p. 739.↩