In the event of the Roumanian plenipotentiary not taking part in the negotiations, Colonel Arion was instructed to protest against every clause affecting Roumania which was agreed to in his absence, and to declare the same null and void. A large indemnity was demanded, because it was intended to cover the heavy expenses and losses incurred through the war.
The difficulties which Roumania seemed likely to encounter at the conclusion of peace are thus alluded to by Prince Charles in a letter to the German Crown Prince, January 14, 1878:
"The newspapers are full of rumours that the Russians intend to resume possession of the Bessarabian districts, incorporated in Roumania by the Treaty of Paris. I cannot believe this, seeing that we have rendered them great service at a most critical moment. Moreover, such a rectification of the frontier would most decidedly be against the interests of Germany and Austria, who must prevent the mouths of the Danube from falling into the hands of a great Power.
"The Second Article of the treaty regulating the passage of the Russian army through Roumania lays it down that the Government of his Majesty the Czar pledges itself to maintain and defend the former integrity of Roumania. Though it cannot be believed that this formal engagement is to be violated, still great anxiety prevails here, especially as the Russian Press constantly refers to this topic."
Minister Cogalniceanu also forwarded a Note to the Russian Agent in Bucharest, laying stress on the fact that Roumania had proclaimed its independence by declaring war with the Porte direct, and that the army had crossed the Danube at the invitation of the Russian Government as well as of the Headquarters Staff. The independent character which Roumania assumed during the war could not, therefore, be cast aside when, at the conclusion of hostilities, the work of diplomacy commenced. The Roumanian Government accordingly claimed the right and the duty of taking part in the negotiations, just as the army had shared the heat and the burden of the fighting. On January 29, however, Prince Ghika reported by telegraph from St. Petersburg that the Czar and his Chancellor had formally notified him of the intention of the Russian Government to regain possession of the Roumanian portion of Bessarabia, whilst Roumania was to be indemnified by the Delta of the Danube and the Dobrutscha as far as Kustendje. The motive assigned was that the territory in question was not ceded to Roumania but to Moldavia, and had been separated from Russia by a treaty of which scarcely a single provision remained in force. Moreover, the national dignity and honour of Russia demanded the re-acquisition of this district. General Ignatieff, it was said, would be sent to Bucharest to negotiate direct with Prince Charles and his Government. In reply to all Ghika's remonstrances, Gortchakoff retorted: "Whatever arguments you employ, they cannot modify our decision, which is unalterable. You are opposed by a political necessity."
General Ignatieff arrived at Bucharest on January 31, 1878, and presented the following almost threatening letter from Prince Gortchakoff to the Minister of Foreign Affairs:
"His Majesty the Czar considers that the time has arrived to elucidate certain questions which I have already discussed in general terms with your Excellency regarding the future peace. It is essential that there should be no misunderstanding on this point.
"It is with a view to avoiding such misunderstandings that my august master is sending his aide-de-camp, General Count Ignatieff, to Bucharest. He will explain to you the views of the Imperial Cabinet, with the general tendency of which your Excellency is already acquainted. You know that we desire to do everything for Roumania that is possible in the field of diplomacy. But your Excellency knows also that we have interests and rights to guard which we cannot forego. What we expect from the Roumanian Government is a just and rational appreciation of its situation and ours. This is the way in which the traditions which unite Roumania to Russia may be perpetuated and consolidated. Your country owes its past to us, and I believe that it will also find in us its most solid support in the future. I reckon on the keen intelligence of your Excellency and of the President of the Council to see to it that high and statesmanlike views shall prevail over party passions at a moment which may be decisive for the relations between our countries."
Count Ignatieff did not mention the proposed cession of Bessarabia to Prince Charles until the latter questioned him on this point. The Prince then declared his inability to accede to this exchange, which he felt convinced did not emanate from the Czar, but from his Majesty's political entourage. The Russian envoy subsequently touched upon the possibility of Prince Charles being elected to the throne of Bulgaria, and even asked what would be his attitude should such an offer be made. The Prince, needless to say, answered evasively, and at once turned the conversation.
The Roumanian Agent in Paris reported on the 25th that neither M. Waddington, Lord Lyons, nor Prince Hohenlohe were informed of the Russian demands on Bessarabia, and that he had come to the conviction that the question of the proposed cession excited very little interest amongst the Powers, whilst not even Germany was expected to protest against the action of Russia.