File No. 763.72119/1012
The Minister in Rumania ( Vopicka) to the Secretary of State
[Received December 14, 3.27 a.m.]
182. Had long talk with Roumanian Minister for Foreign Affairs who told me that cessation of hostilities on the Roumanian front for ten days beginning from December 8 had been agreed upon. He complained bitterly that the Allies did not understand the position of Roumania. He said:
General Kaledin who is now in Odessa has no army; the Ukrainians at [Kiev?] are anxious for peace and do not want to fight now; and the Russian troops on the Roumanian front do not wish to fight; and that without provisions and friends in Russia, and because the Russian troops on the Roumanian front are more hostile than friendly, it was impossible for Roumania to retreat immediately. If the Cossacks and Ukrainians organize, the Roumanian Army will retreat and join them but this requires time. For this reason an armistice is welcome.
If Russians make peace three courses are open to Roumania: to retreat when the time comes into Russia; to capitulate; or to make peace. However, I do not like the attitude of the Prime Minister and believe that even the worst can be expected from him, by which I mean that he might conclude a separate peace.