PROTEST FROM CHICHERIN TO THE RUMANIAN PRIME MINISTER AGAINST THE INCORPORATION OF BESSARABIA IN RUMANIA 18 April 1918 Kluchnikov & Sabanin, ii, p. 138     Your announcement, published in the European press,' that the representatives of Bessarabia have solemnly proclaimed the incorporation of Bessarabia in Rumania and that consequently you regard Bessarabia as forming henceforth an inalienable part of the Rumanian kingdom, is not only a challenge to the Russian Federal Soviet Republic, but a most flagrant violation of the agreement to evacuate Bessarabia within two months reached between Russia and your predecessors. The incorporation of Bessarabia in Rumania is furthermore an act of violence against the Bessarabian population, who openly and unanimously protested against the Rumanian occupation. The Moldavian Peasants' Congress, held at Kishinev from 18 to 22 January of this year, notwithstanding the arrest of its chairman Rudiev and its vice-chairman Proshtitsky, and in spite of other repressive measures taken by the Rumanian military authorities, protested unanimously against the Rumanian occupation and demanded the withdrawal of Rumanian troops from Bessarabia. Your attempt to pass off, as the expression of the will of the Bessarabian workers and peasants, the vote of the Bessarabian landlords, those arch-enemies of the Bessarabian people and supporters of exploitation, meeting under the protection of Rumanian troops, has no validity whatever in international law. Forcible annexation to Rumania will not destroy the unity and solidarity of the working masses of Bessarabia and Russia. Documents on Soviet Foreign Policy [Subject] [Author] [Date]