The following information about the Bolsheviks they obtained directly from highest [officers] Bolshevik army. The main guards are formed of Austrian and Hungarian war prisoners, further about 50,000 Letts from the Baltic provinces, and about 40,000 Chinese workmen. The balance, more than half million men, are Russians who are taken into the army by compulsion and regular mobilization, as, unless they enter, they get nothing to eat and their lives are in peril. In Moscow there are many Americans, French, English, and Czecho-Slovaks arrested and in terrible conditions. Hunger is prevailing everywhere and unless help reaches them immediately they will probably all die from hunger and the only way they can save themselves is to join the Bolshevik army, and now even the Bolshevik army is getting very low with their supplies. In Kiev the situation is as follows: Kiev held by about 15,000 Russian officers and some Ukrainian soldiers under the high commandant Dolgorukov. Skoropadski is still the hetman of Ukrainia. The Germans before they left gave all ammunition and rifles and everything else which they had on hand to Petlyura who used to be the official storekeeper of the Russian Government. He is now head of the Bolsheviks of Ukraine and he is gaining ground; it is feared that he will take Odessa where now only two French regiments are at present. And unless the Allied armies will be able to come to the rescue soon it is expected Kiev also will be taken by the Bolsheviks. Denikin army is far from Kiev; the strength of this army is uncertain but the correct estimate is about 25,000 men. Please do not place very much confidence in it; I have no faith in it. My colleague, the French Minister, told me yesterday it will be necessary to have a volunteer army in Russia and that means in his opinion that some of the French soldiers object to serving any more, claiming that the war is already ended. General Berthelot expects to engage some Rumanian and Greek troops under French commanding officers, but I am afraid this combination will not work very well. further says that in Russia now exists a great organization [agitation?] against the Jews and it is generally believed that the pogrom will take place when the Allied army enters Russia from the south. Taking into consideration the steady growth of Bolsheviks, the present situation in Russia is very dangerous. I again ask that our army be sent to Russia for the reasons which I stated in my previous telegrams. VOPICKA 1 Gen. A. I. Denikin, who was successively chief of staff and commander of the western and of the southwestern fronts under the Provisional Government, had succeeded Kornilov at the head of the Volunteer Army. File No. 861.00/3541 The Minister in Rumania (Vopicka) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] BUCHAREST, December 21, 1918, 1 p. m. [Received December 27, 8 p. m.] 23. Referring to my telegram of December 13 [19], 5 p. m., No. 17, I beg to add that this morning a committee of Ukrainians, representing public organizations which are most influential, called on me and stated that Petlyura does not lead the Bolshevik army as is reported, but the republican army, which is fighting for independence of Ukrainia against Hetman Skoropadski, who favors the federation system for Russia. They, however, stated that also reformed Bolsheviks joined this republican army. They claim that Ukrainians should have the right to regulate themselves, and this right should be recognized by the Allies. They make also a positive statement that they will eradicate Bolshevism in Ukrainia themselves. I shall investigate this new important movement fully and report later. VOPICKA File No. 861.00/3505 The Minister in Sweden (Morris) to the Secretary of State 3377. [Telegram-Extract! STOCKHOLM, undated. [Received December 22, 1918, 12.55 a. m.] Reports from Kiev: Nikolaev, Zhitomir, and Berdichev been occupied by troops Directory. Commander chief Ukrainian troops Kiev requested authorities take steps against every attempt of arbitrary house examinations, arrests, and maintain order, peace. Decrees issued by commander chief hetman group regarding mobilization of population Kiev been annulled. Ukrainian General Staff declares all rumors spread lately that Bolsheviks advancing Ukrainian frontier inaccurate. MORRIS File No. 861.00/3567 The Minister in Sweden (Morris) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] STOCKHOLM, January 2, 1919, 1 p. m. [Received January 3.] 3424. Prominent editor just from Kiev reports following: Skoropadski's government fell without serious resistance. Hatred of peasants toward Germans and landlords account past persecutions tremendous. Petlyura, leader of nationalists, has 150,000 trained troops at least. German-Austrian troops are reported neutral and even cooperating. Agreement to that effect stated to exist. An understanding between Petlyura and Moscow is suspected and support of local Bolsheviks is certain. Petlyura's program is for a coalition government from socialists, federalists to Bolsheviks. Bolsheviks not included but recognized as legal opposition. Denikin reported to have 120,000 troops. Krasnov's Cossacks are tainted with Bolshevism. Dutov's1 forces are considered reconstructed. The editor who is disturbed thinks Petlyura's government is a forerunner of the Bolshevik government and foresees possibility of the MoscowBerlin-Kiev combination. Petlyura is reported conducting negotiations with Allies. French Consul Henot at Odessa in name Allies supported Skoropadski and other extremely reactionary elements preceding fall of Kiev. MORRIS 1 Ataman of the Orenburg Cossacks. CHAPTER V BESSARABIA The Moldavian Republic: Military Support by Rumania-Announcement by the Soviet Government of a State of War with Rumania: Expulsion of the Rumanian Minister and Sequestration of Rumanian Gold-Agreement between Rumania and the Soviet Government, March 9, 1918-Union of Bessarabia with Rumania, April 9, 1918 File No. 861.00/886 The Minister in Rumania (Vopicka) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] JASSY, December 28, 1917, 6 p. m. [Received December 31, 1.35 a. m.] 202. Yesterday V. Cristi, director of internal affairs, I. Pelivan, director of external affairs, of the new republic of Bessarabia named Moldavia called upon me, being introduced by Rumanian Minister Interior. Inkulets is president of Parliament and Erhan president of the Council. This new republic expects to be federal state like Ukraine if Russia forms federal government. It is opposed to Bolshevik régime and friendly to the Allies. VOPICKA File No. 763.72/8677 The Rumanian Minister (Angelesco) to the Secretary of State [Translation] WASHINGTON, January 25, 1918. MR. SECRETARY: My government directs me to inform your excellency that upon an agreement reached with the government of the Moldavian republic of Bessarabia and General Shcherbachev, commander in chief of the Russian army at the Rumanian front, it has placed Rumanian troops at the disposal of the aforesaid government. The measure was taken in consequence of the progress lately made by anarchy in Bessarabia which severely threatened the revictualing and lines of communication of the armies at the Rumanian front. But a few days ago armed bands arrested in the station at Kishinev Rumanian officers sent on parleys and going to Odessa on leave, insulted and robbed them and after detaining them a few hours sent them back to Jassy by force. Another act of extreme gravity is the capturing by the revolutionists of trains carrying supplies for the Russian army at the Rumanian front. In order to prevent a recurrence of such acts, which are likely to starve the army and drive it into disorderliness and plundering, the Rumanian Government in accord with the government of the Moldavian republic of Bessarabia and General Shcherbachev has placed its troops at the disposal of that government. Be pleased to accept [etc.] DR. ANGELESCO File No. 763.72119/1209 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram-Extract 1] PETROGRAD, January 27, 1918, 10 p. m. [Received January 30, 10.31 a. m.] 2293. Trotsky, speaking last night to Soviet over two hours . stated war existed between Rumania and Russia and Rumanian Minister would be given passports immediately. Saw Rumanian Minister 6 o'clock when had received no communication from Soviet, but was packing preparatory leaving. Said not heard from Government for fifteen days and knew nothing of occurrences there; that Bessarabia had declared independence and Rumania irresponsible for occurrences in Moldavian republic, which name assumed by Bessarabia. FRANCIS File No. 701.7161/7 The Ambassador in Russia (Francis) to the Secretary of State [Telegram] PETROGRAD, January 29, 1918, 5 p. m. [Received February 4, 10.27 a. m.] 2300. Rumanian Minister received notice 3 o'clock yesterday to leave within ten hours. He sent his secretary to the Foreign Office requesting twelve hours' extension because Legation numbered about hundred and because of difficulty in packing and procuring transportation to station. Secretary was told must observe order or 1 Printed in vol. 1, p. 359. |