Paris Peace Conf. 181.9202/279: Telegram
General Bandholtz to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
[Received December 7—2:27 p.m.]
230. Polk from Bandholtz. Your number 127 received.82 The reference to representative in Bucharest is interpreted as meaning Budapest. This force already reduced to prescribed limits with exception of two field clerks who will be relieved at once. I greatly appreciate Commission’s approval of my administration, and it has been a pleasure to serve under superiors whose patience has been great and support unfailing. Persistent reports coming in that there has been bloodshed between Transylvania Roumanians and old Roumanians of Roumanian Army. Roumanian headquarters have established telegraphic liaison [with French] Mission but not with Interallied Mission. An agent’s report [from] Bucharest says Roumanian Chief of Staff does not intend to withdraw from the Theiss to the line of demarcation until signing of general peace, as Roumania needs natural obstacle like the Theiss to insure her western front against attack. All tommyrot. Indications are that Roumanians will not sign peace treaty and will not retire from Theiss until forced to do so by economic or diplomatic pressure. Threat is [The sooner is threat of] last ultimatum carried out, the sooner will this situation improve. A high Hungarian official informs me that Hungary does not like Germany but that for self-preservation, both she and Austria will sooner or later be forced to join Germany. The Roumanian General in charge of requisition just prior to departure from Budapest surreptitiously changed several millions of crowns into Roumanian lei. This was all savings over expenses from four months’ pay. Hungarians are persecuting Jews to considerable extent. I have just personally verified a case and took up same with Hungarian Chief of Staff who promises immediate investigation and remedial action.
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